Tim Tebow is polarizing, not because he is a polarizing person, but rather, some folks are divided on the former Heisman Trophy winner and Florida quarterback.
Tebow became an SEC legend at Florida, winning 2 national championships and becoming the first-ever sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. Gators fans — and many other SEC fans — still adore Tebow and followed his career in the NFL and the MLB.
While Tebow’s professional prospects were largely negative coming out of Florida, the Denver Broncos — under then-head coach Josh McDaniels — drafted Tebow in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. McDaniels was let go after the season, and under John Elway’s leadership, John Fox was hired.
2011 was a disaster start for Denver with Kyle Orton at quarterback, and the fans were loudly calling for Tebow to take over. Well, he did, and he helped lead Denver to a rather strong finish, including a first-round NFL Playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A new book by sports journalist Jason Cole titled, “Elway: A Relentless Life,” dives into the 2011 season and trashes Tebow in the process.
The book, according to DailyMail, calls Tebow “egotistical and money hungry.” The book alleges that Tebow, a devout Christian, charged $50,000 to speak at churches, and it also alleges that Elway’s wife, Janet, asked Tebow to do an appearance at a charity event and Tebow’s brother said it would be $50,000 for an appearance. She ultimately declined.
One Denver staffer also allegedly called Tebow, “The most self-centered humble guy I’ve ever met.”
Cole also writes in the book about his on-field play, “As one teammate put it bluntly that season: ‘He has no idea what’s going on out there. If the first read doesn’t work, he’s just making it up.'”
Tebow eventually found himself out of the NFL and made a run at playing professional baseball. He’s been in the minor leagues the last several years in addition to hosting the SEC Network’s pregame show on Saturday mornings during football season.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
