One of the greatest players in college football history will write his final chapter this evening as Tim Tebow closes out his career with the Florida Gators. Given the press coverage of the game, you wouldn’t know it. The headlines of the game have focused on issues regarding each team’s respective head coach rather than Tebow getting his fourth consecutive bowl victory.
Tebow Closes Out Historic Career
Tebow’s departure will leave a gaping hole on a team where the talent level has clearly declined over the course of the last four years. That talent deficit was hidden by Tebow’s leadership, but was exposed as the Gators were hammered by Alabama 32-13 in the SEC Championship. That defeat and Tebow’s departure will likely accelerate the decision of Florida’s top underclassmen to declare early for the NFL Draft.
That’s enough to give Urban Meyer another anxiety attack.
But the focus tonight should be a celebration of what Tim Tebow has meant to college football. The fire is his eyes, his pure athleticism, his determination to win. These are all things we will miss after the final gun sounds tonight. Just take a look at some of Tebow’s accomplishments:
- Heisman Trophy Winner
- 3x finalist for Heisman Trophy
- Two NCAA Championships
- Three SEC Championships
- 2x Maxwell Award Winner
- NCAA First Team All-American
- NCAA Academic All-American
- 1st Player in NCAA history to score 20 Rushing TDs and throw 20 passing TDs in a season.
- SEC record for Total Offense in a season
- SEC record for Most Touchdowns, Career
- SEC record for Most Touchdowns, Season
- SEC record for Most Touchdowns, Game
- SEC record for Most Rushing Touchdowns, Career
- SEC record for Most Rushing Touchdowns, Season
- SEC record for Passing Efficiency, Career
- SEC record for Lowest Interception Rate, Career
The list can go on much longer, but lets leave it here.
NFL scouts say that Tim Tebow has no future at the next level. That his intangibles don’t make up for his lack of pocket passing skills. That he is a product of a system that has a proven failure in Alex Smith. That his arm motion doesn’t translate. Or that his arm strength and accuracy just don’t measure up.
Pish Posh!
The Sugar Bowl serves as his final national television to silence the doubters with a masterful performance. Expect Tebow to show up big and send notice to the NFL scouts that his intelligence, internal drive and ability to win make a future star at the professional level.
Tebow is a special player for the ages. Let hope we get to enjoy him for many years to come in the NFL.
Tags: Brian Kelly, cincinnati, florida gators, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer
