Tim Tebow, failed pro football player, soon to be failed pro baseball player
When I heard that Tim Tebow was going to try a career in pro baseball, I pulled a retina rolling my eyes.
Tebow, the former Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion quarterback at Florida, didn’t have the skill set to thrive at the game’s most important position in the NFL. That dream has long since died.
Still one of the most popular athletes in the country for his All-American attitude and God-first way of life, he has tasted plenty of success beyond the gridiron. His television work on ESPN is commendable. His charitable nature has reached legendary status. Unlike most ex-players, football doesn’t define who he is.
But he hasn’t played baseball since high school. To think he’ll make the big leagues one day is laughable.
Tebow in the cage. Judge for yourself. You tell me if that swing gets past AA. pic.twitter.com/7Ij0pfK5cv
— BEAU BISHOP (@BeauBishop) August 9, 2016
I have a little history with Tebow. When he was winning a state title for Nease High School as a senior, I was covering high school sports for the Florida Times-Union. I covered a handful of his games and interviewed him more than once. One of his assistant coaches, Danny Cowgill, was a childhood friend of mine.
Years later, at the Scouting Combine, I wrote several columns detailing his jump from college to the NFL.
Despite the fact that he tore FSU limb from limb for the entirety of his stay in Gainesville, I always said that he was perhaps the most genuine athlete I ever covered. What a worker. What a leader. He was special.
Ultimately, he didn’t have enough arm talent to make it on Sunday. That miracle run he had with the Denver Broncos was just that — a miracle. The New York Jets got more snaps out of him as a punt protector than a passer. The New England Patriots had no use for Tebow and released him. Ditto for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
QB is the hardest position to play in all of sports. But hitting a baseball is the hardest singular skill.
Ignore the fact that Tebow hit .494 as a high school junior — that was 2005, the last time he played the game on a full-time basis. In those days, Nease was a smaller school playing relatively weak competition.
It was also 11 years ago. Considering the caliber of pitching Tebow was facing at the prep level, it’s safe to assume that rarely did he dig into the batter’s box facing anyone that could crack 80 miles per hour on a radar gun. Today, every Major League Baseball team has a bullpen full of arms throwing in the high-90s.
The MLB Draft is 40 rounds. It used to be longer. Clubs take flyers on football players all the time.
Tebow’s name has never been called. Charlie Ward, a Heisman winner himself with the ‘Noles, also “retired” from baseball post-high school. Yet he was still selected in the baseball draft. And not just once. Two times.
Matt LaPorta, taken No. 7 overall in the 2007 baseball draft, was the best hitter on campus during Tebow’s time in Gainesville. He was an All-American and the first collegian voted SEC Player of the Year twice. In 59 games as a senior, he hit .402 and slugged .817 in as tough a conference as any in the NCAA.
LaPorta made it to the majors at age 24. He was chewed up and spit out by 28. Tebow turns 29 in five days.
LaPorta, as a matter of fact, was a fullback on his high school team in Port Charlotte, Fla. He might have better odds of scoring a touchdown in the NFL than Tebow does of hitting a home run in the major leagues.
According to the ESPN report, Tebow has been hitting and fielding in Arizona for the better part of a year in order to give baseball another shot. Chad Moeller, a former catcher with 11 years of big-league service time — career average? .226 — has been impressed with Tebow’s ability and, since it’s Tebow, work ethic.

Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Moeller’s comments, of course, were part of a statement from Tebow’s agent. It’s PR spin and nothing else.
Brittany Ghiroli, who covers the Baltimore Orioles for MLB.com, told me that Tebow is basically kidding himself:
“These guys spend years, day in and day out, cultivating their craft. To say that it’s something someone can just pick up, with no pro baseball background, is wildly inaccurate. The thing about baseball is even the best in the world fail most of the time. You hear guys go through these horrible slumps. But it takes a ridiculous amount of talent and skill to pick up a 99-mile-per-hour fastball and hit it somewhere no one is. People don’t realize just how hard it is. Orioles manager Buck Showalter consistently brings up the fact that he thinks it’s the hardest thing to do in all of sports. Just look at the numbers.”
At the 2010 combine, during his podium session, I asked Tebow what he would do if the NFL didn’t work out:
“I’d do what I’ve been doing with the rest of my life, and that’s trying to invest in people’s lives and run my non-profit organizations and try to get those bigger — to put a smile on kids’ faces that most people don’t care about and just try to give kids a brighter day. That’s what my foundation is all about, is giving kids a brighter day, especially in their darkest hour of need. That’s what I’m going to do for the rest of my life, and that’s what I’m most passionate about. I’m more passionate about that than I’ve ever been about football.”
Needless to say, there was zero baseball talk. I didn’t know he had ever played. I doubt anyone else did.
After this @MLB season I'm going try out for the @NFL this offseason. I haven't played since HS but I've played in a few TurkeyBowls since!!
— 10 (@SimplyAJ10) August 9, 2016
If he is so starved for competition, he should become a CrossFit athlete. He’s clearly in amazing physical shape. Then Tebow could just train — all day, every day — and never have to throw a pass or swing a bat.
By all accounts, Tebow is far from desperate. Again, he’s not bad as a TV analyst and perfectly suited for the SEC Network viewership. No doubt he could have a lucrative career as a motivational speaker. There are Florida alumni clubs coast to coast that would pay big coin for autographs and selfie opportunities alone.
But this is a desperate move. And it’s destined to fail — miserably. It won’t brighten one kid’s day, either.
John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.
Maybe he just misses the competition of playing sports at a high level and wants to try his hand. I’d like to say I expect more out of an article but after seeing you joke about UGA injuries I’ll hold my breath.
Unfortunately for Tebow sycophants, this column wasn’t satirical in nature. The other one was. I only hope that you can tell the difference.
Not sure if past comments from Florida fans had to do with any bit of anything while you wrote this article, but it sounds like the fans made you kinda mad and you’re letting some of it out on this one. Saying he will fail miserably? We didn’t pis$ you off did we Chris?
Satirical- no
Everyone’s least favorite sds writer trying to get a minute in fame by ripping someone- yes
#CristStrikesAgain
Tebow could easily start in the Arena Football League. I mean have you watched some of there starting QBs in that league. they look like stick figures.
Ahahaa stick figures
Yep they all look like stick figures to me.
I’m with you, arena football or Canadian football he would dominate. I’m also with John and think he could try those tough mudder competitions or something.
Might as well aspire to be nothing in life then.
Ahahahahah d@mn…your username had me lol
No, but aspire to something that doesn’t come off as completely delusional. I listed several vocations for which he is more than qualified: SEC Network analyst, motivational speaker, philanthropist. Major League Baseball player? He may as well have said he wants to be an astronaut. A personal injury lawyer doesn’t just wake up one morning and decide he wants to be chief of surgery at Shands Hospital.
I’m sure he is anxiously awaiting life advice from you. I have know idea if he’s a good baseball player, but I admire a guy willing to take a swing.
I just didn’t think you would hear He would fail miserably from a professional. I’m no writer or anything but Just use to journalist using lighter choice words. But you’re not the average writer as I now know. Unless like I said, you’re venting some on this one. But being straight up no matter how harsh it sounds is how you write, then that’s how you write. I’m just new to your articles.
Actually everyday profesionals quit their careers to follow their dreams now obviously this isnt the case here but who are you a website columnist( I dont care what titles you give yourself) to denigrate anyone on anything they decide to do. And also QUIT DOING SATIRE ARTICLES IF I WANTED THAT I WOULD GO TO THE ONION OR DEADSPIN I COME HERE TO SEE SEC NEWS SPECIFICALY FOOTBALL NOT SATIRE.
Why wouldn’t he be able to make it? Honestly. The transition from football to baseball is more common than you think. I’m sure Jordan comparisons are coming, but Tebow was a football player, at the heart of the conditioning the two sports mirror each other. That’s why DBs like Deion Sanders and Brian Jordan made solid outfielders. Being an sec article I’m sure people remember guys such as Bo Jackson and Todd Helton who had solid major league careers.
Good examples, but Sanders, Jordan, Jackson and Helton all have one thing in common: They didn’t give up playing baseball for more than a decade following their junior year of high school. They played both sports throughout before ultimately choosing one. Tebow, conversely, hasn’t been a two-sport athlete since he was 17 years old. There’s no comparison.
Your buddy Chris Wright wrote “nobody saw Jim Morris leaving his high school teaching job in Texas and making it to the major leagues at age 35, either.” Not saying he has a great chance, but there’s always a chance. I shudder to think about what ‘advice’ you’d give to the wright brothers when they were making the first plane.
Being a pitcher and being a position player are two totally different things. Everybody who knows about anything about baseball will tell you that. If Tebow had a 95-MPH fastball, I’d be singing a different tune.
What a pathetic article.
So Crist went from the Times Union to blogging on SDS…in 11 years. In his defense, he seems an expert in what it means to be destined to fail — miserably.
The title alone makes me wince and think what the hell SDS was thinking when they hired you. It’s so negative, click-baity, and kinda passive aggressive. The article was even worse. You are the only writer on this website that I see people have actual problems with. You are also the only writer I see who sits there and argues with readers in the comments. I wonder if there are readers out there who actually enjoy your “work”. If so, they’re definitely not the majority.
I simply respond. I don’t argue. The overwhelming majority of writers — here or anywhere — don’t go near their own comments section for all the obvious reasons. But I like the idea of being as interactive as possible. If a columnist isn’t being MF’d by half the people who read him on a daily basis, then he’s not doing his job.
Right.
Because so much of the “job” of journalism these days is sensationalism to generate views, clicks, etc. Its all about the dollar.
Not about, you know, writing with integrity or anything.
So you regularly piss off a nontrivial portion of your audience then. JOB WELL DONE.
I’m sorry the dude has ambition. And the Crap about Tebow not having the Armstrength is BS, Tebow never had the Accruacy. Now that being said Tebow is still better than Mark “Buttfumble” Sanchez and Sieman. He would do just fine in a spread offense that runs a ton of short routes and lets him run around. The only reason Chip Kelly brought him in was to sell preseason tickets. Belicheck actually wanted to see if Tebow would work in his system. Tebow would be a fine back up QB say to the Panthers,49ers, Browns or Cowboys. Now to his “Miracle” run. They ran a spread offense most of the game against the Steelers and guess what (spoiler alert) THEY WON! The next game they ran a typical Pro Offense alot of i-Form and Singleback. They ran little Shotgun and pistol unless it was 3rd down. Guess what (spoiler alert again) they lost. Don’t give me the “he had a great defense” BS. Did he yes. But so did Peyton Manning last yr. As well as Cam Newton. So did the Seahawks. As well as EVERY Patriots and Ravens team to win a super bowl. But hey we aren’t taking anything away from Manning, Newton, Wilson, Brady or Flacco. So why when Tebow goes deep into the playoffs with a good Defense it suddenly takes away from HIS ability?!? No hes not gonna be the Greatest QB of all time but he doesnt have to be. He’s an average QB with amazing leadership ability and a work ethic that is unrivaled. And thats what makes him an Above average to good QB. Now as far as baseball goes. Who cares if he doesn’t make the Majors? He’s at least trying. What more can u ask from a guy he’s litterally done Everything any coach has asked him. Except change positions. Why do we care if he doesnt want to change positions? If we asked Cam Newton to change positions to TE and he said No would we care? Nope we’d call his Coach or Media Member CRAZY. Last but not least you saying this is a qoute “But this is a desperate move. And it’s destined to fail — miserably. It won’t brighten one kid’s day, either.” Is a desperate move yourself and shows how little class you have. The fact that u threw in that little tidbit about not making any kids day is A. Rude. B. Incorrect. When i saw he was trying Baseball again (which i knew before hand BTW) i was like Good for Him. He’s trying somthing else. And C. Classless and tasteless. It just shows you feel the need to put other people down in EVERY article you “write”. It just shows you must do that to make yourself feel Big. Oh by the way, Tebow has been WAY more successful already than you ever have been or ever will be.
Preach it brother!
“Manning, Newton, Wilson, Brady or Flacco” All have rings or super bowl appearances. Hard to put Tebow in that category. Two of those are first ballot HOFers, one is a former heisman and league MVP. The other has a ring. Tebow doesn’t belong in the same NFL conversation as these guys.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. Will he make the majors? Doubt it. But you can’t blame a guy for trying. You definitely have no good reason to bash him and call him desperate and whatever.
The Michael Jordan comparisons are coming btw
Man, you’re gonna set a record this year for condescending articles that pi$$ readers off. Nice to see fans of so many teams come together, though. LMAO if he has any success in baseball. You definitely fit the mold for most of the ‘noles I’ve met.
It’s stuff like this that make me want to see Tim make it. He’s just doing what he wants to do and following his dreams. What’s so bad about that?
Man john you are a real negative Nancy.
If I had as much free time as Tebow has and had built my body like he has and had the opportunity to try and play pro baseball I sure as heck would try. Why not? Who cares if he fails, he will still be rich as heck and have a lot of career opportunities. But what if he does make it and can play a few years, well then he gets to compete again just like he wants to.
I would also like to point out that there are a lot of delusional dreams that people follow most of them fail but some work out. Since he has nothing to lose from following his delusional dream I say swing for the fences.
It’s sad and funny at the same time. Sports “writers”, who can’t and never could hit a lick, get all giggly when they get to refer to Tim as a “failed” pro football player. What a joke!
If you get invited to camp, you’re not a failure. If you make a roster, you’re not a failure. If you ever start for your team, you’re not a failure. If you start for your team, lead them to a string of wins, and into the playoffs, and past the first round, beating a previous Super Bowl champion, YOU’RE NOT A FAILURE. Tim’s talents did not fit into the NFL. Clearly, he won games for his team by taking the team on his shoulders. Wow.
What a bunch of losers.
If I was Tim Tebow, and if I had the slightest chance to play another professional sport, I would not hesitate. Good thing he would never be deterred by the bitter peanut gallery.
John Crist, just read the rest of these comments. They are spot on. While you’ve still got time, and since you don’t have millions upon millions that you’ve earned in your profession (Tim does), why don’t you jump to your next best opportunity for a paycheck and be a beat writer for a some MSNBC affiliate in the northwest. You could be a) negative, b) wrong, c) stupid, and d) irrelevant, and you’d still have found your purpose in life.
So you bash the guy that is already more successful than you? Good job. In the morning punch the guy you see in the mirror for being a dumba$$….
Tebow is a very competitive person who thrives being an integral part of a team. He was one of the best college QBs to ever play the game and I hate saying that because I am a Vol For Life. I didn’t think his specific skill set would translate to the pro game. An NFL team would have to remake their offense to cater to Tebow’s strengths and pray that he never got hurt. The NFL is all about winning and coaches can’t take a few years to draft and trade to put the right personnel around Tebow to help him be successful. Tebow needed to evolve his skill set to function in the NFL and he couldn’t do it. No one doubts his heart, his work ethic or his desire to succeed but being a starting QB in the NFL just wasn’t in God’s plan for Tim. If he had humbled himself to that reality, he could have been an amazing TE or other position player in the NFL. His ego demanded he must be a QB or he’d refuse to play the game. He could have gone to the CFL (like Flutie & Moon) to work on his skills and matured into the QB position but again, his ego wouldn’t allow that. He’d dominate the AFL but again, his ego won’t allow him to consider that. Now he seems to believe that he can pick up a bat after a decade away from the sport and become an MLB caliber player. His ego won’t accept the reality that he would likely repeat Michael’s Jordan’s experience where a freakishly amazing athlete in a different sport tried to break into the major leagues of baseball. Maybe Tebow has convinced himself that his specific version of God wants him to be a star playing in a major American professional sports league. Apparently, the Almighty wasn’t informed of this and hasn’t intervened on Tebow’s behalf to change reality. He’s good doing commentary on SEC Football for ESPN because he knows the conference. He has a future in pursuing his religious beliefs doing philanthropy work or he could go into politics and easily be elected to a statewide office or to Congress from his home district. We will have to wait and see where his ego leads him over the next few years while he is still in excellent physical shape.
Where is the article by Tebow about you not having the skill set to write – even for SDS?
Oh, I know. Tebow has way more class than that – even though it is the absolute truth. Just state that he is considering this and wish him well.