Famed Christian athlete-turned-TV analyst Tim Tebow has signed a longterm contract extension with ESPN. The extension comes just days after ESPN’s string of layoffs for “on-air” talent.
At this point, everyone knows Tim Tebow’s name. His rise began in 2006, when he won the National Championship as a freshman at Florida. However, that was just the beginning. He would bring the Gators back to the National Title in 2008 where they would take home the crystal ball a second time. Tebow is no stranger to awards. Over the course of his collegiate football career, he brought home:
2007- Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brein Award, Maxwell Award, James E. Sullivan Award, Chic Harley Award, AP Player of the Year, Consensus All-American
2008- Maxwell Award, Manning Award, Wuerffel Trophy, Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award, SEC Offensive Player of the Year
2009- William V. Campbell Trophy, Best College Athlete ESPY Award
Needless to say, Tebow is quite knowledgeable about football. While he was made famous for his work on the collegiate gridiron, there was no mistake his notoriety once he began “Tebowing” or kneeling and publicly praying before and after games. This struck a chord within the Christian community, giving them an athlete who openly speaks out for their religion; especially someone that isn’t afraid of the consequences.
Tebow’s professional career in the NFL didn’t pan out, so he took a different path and began his broadcasting career with ESPN and the SEC Network. His insight and expertise on college football have been highly sought after throughout the college football season, and Tebow has covered several CFP National Championships and various high-profile bowl games.
Stephanie Druley, ESPN Senior Vice President of Event and Studio Production said, “Tebow brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to his analysis of college football and surprised many fans with his strong opinions and engaging presence of SEC Nation.”
Not only is Tebow continuing his broadcasting career with ESPN, he is still pursuing his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. Currently in the New York Mets farm system with the Columbia Fireflies, Tebow’s work with ESPN will not interfere with his baseball career.
Recently, Tebow has been criticized for his pursuit of a career in baseball. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith asked Tebow what he thought about critics (like Stephen A.) saying that Tebow shouldn’t be playing baseball. Tebow’s response was priceless:
“Well, it’s fine if they look at me and say that’s what I should be doing – but they’re not me – and when are dreams based on chances? Dreams are based on something that’s in your heart that are passions, that are something that you want to go try. Not on chances. I mean, I’m so grateful that I get to go pursue something even if it’s a long shot versus something that, yeah I might be able to go do and do pretty well, but if it’s not in my heart why am I going to do that? You know, I think that’s something that’s unfortunate in society is a lot of people just go do what they feel like they should do and live with the status quo and go live by all these rules and “Hey, this is going to be OK.” You know, just go accept your average nine-to-five, rather than striving for something because the ultimate goal isn’t to succeed or fail, the ultimate goal is to give it everything you have for something that’s on your heart and a dream and pursuing that. And if you get to live out your dream every single day, then the result doesn’t matter. I can look back 20, 30 years from now and be able to look at this time and say, ‘You know what, I gave everything I had to football. I gave everything I had to baseball and I was able to live out some dreams.’ And in my opinion, that’s pretty awesome.”
Tebow is currently playing for the Columbia Fireflies, the A affiliate of the New York Mets. Tebow is hitting .242 with 2 HRs and 9 RBI.
