JimBob
01-12-2009, 09:03 AM
Tebow: 'I'm coming back'
QB says he'll return, and one Gator gets a last dig at the Sooners.
By MARK LONG Associated Press
Published: 1/12/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 1/12/2009 3:04 AM
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tim Tebow started to walk off stage, then called an audible. The Florida quarterback turned around, grabbed the microphone and told teammates, coaches and fans exactly what they wanted to hear.
"Oh, by the way, let's do it again. I'm coming back," Tebow said.
Tebow thrilled more than 40,000 at the school's national championship celebration Sunday by announcing plans to return for his senior season, with hopes of leading the Gators to their first undefeated season and fourth national title.
There was speculation he might head to the NFL, especially since he has talked about wanting a bigger platform to share his religious message and expand his community work, but Tebow said he never strongly considered leaving early.
Still, Tebow wasn't sure how to announce his intentions. Meyer suggested rewarding fans who showed up for the celebration on a cloudy, drizzly day. Tebow obliged, but not until the very end of the 75-minute celebration.
The day started with a replay of the title game, then everyone watched a highlight video of the season. Meyer introduced his seniors, his assistants and then handed things over to players.
Safety Ahmad Black delivered the best one-liners of the day. When asked about his fourth-quarter interception against Oklahoma, the one he ripped out of receiver Juaquin Iglesias' hands, Black said, "I think Iglesias might have to get in the weight room some more."
When asked about holding the high-scoring Sooners to 14 points and 363 yards, both season lows, Black said, "Sixty points? Like (Florida linebacker Brandon) Spikes said, Big 12 defenses are a joke. We'd have to play like 12 overtimes for them to score 60 points."
Throughout it all, fans kept chanting, "One more year, one more year." Tebow laughed them off at first. He might have even duped some fans when he walked on stage to the "Superman" theme song and started thanking everyone.
Then he called his audible.
"It means a lot for our team, program, everything," offensive lineman Mike Pouncey said. "Tim's going to be a big key for us next year. We really need him. ... It's going to give us a big edge for next year. He made the right decision by not leaving and coming back."
Tebow threw 32 TDs in 2007, ran for 23 more and became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. He did less this season, but accomplished more by leading Florida to its second national title in three years.
"Overall, I just felt loyal to this place," Tebow said. "I feel like I'm a role model, and a lot of times people start things and don't finish them. I didn't want to be like that. I wanted to be loyal to the university. I wanted to finish what I started and play another year."
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound left-hander was 18-of-30 passing for 231 yards, with two TDs and two interceptions in Thursday's 24-14 victory against Oklahoma in the BCS title game.
QB says he'll return, and one Gator gets a last dig at the Sooners.
By MARK LONG Associated Press
Published: 1/12/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 1/12/2009 3:04 AM
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tim Tebow started to walk off stage, then called an audible. The Florida quarterback turned around, grabbed the microphone and told teammates, coaches and fans exactly what they wanted to hear.
"Oh, by the way, let's do it again. I'm coming back," Tebow said.
Tebow thrilled more than 40,000 at the school's national championship celebration Sunday by announcing plans to return for his senior season, with hopes of leading the Gators to their first undefeated season and fourth national title.
There was speculation he might head to the NFL, especially since he has talked about wanting a bigger platform to share his religious message and expand his community work, but Tebow said he never strongly considered leaving early.
Still, Tebow wasn't sure how to announce his intentions. Meyer suggested rewarding fans who showed up for the celebration on a cloudy, drizzly day. Tebow obliged, but not until the very end of the 75-minute celebration.
The day started with a replay of the title game, then everyone watched a highlight video of the season. Meyer introduced his seniors, his assistants and then handed things over to players.
Safety Ahmad Black delivered the best one-liners of the day. When asked about his fourth-quarter interception against Oklahoma, the one he ripped out of receiver Juaquin Iglesias' hands, Black said, "I think Iglesias might have to get in the weight room some more."
When asked about holding the high-scoring Sooners to 14 points and 363 yards, both season lows, Black said, "Sixty points? Like (Florida linebacker Brandon) Spikes said, Big 12 defenses are a joke. We'd have to play like 12 overtimes for them to score 60 points."
Throughout it all, fans kept chanting, "One more year, one more year." Tebow laughed them off at first. He might have even duped some fans when he walked on stage to the "Superman" theme song and started thanking everyone.
Then he called his audible.
"It means a lot for our team, program, everything," offensive lineman Mike Pouncey said. "Tim's going to be a big key for us next year. We really need him. ... It's going to give us a big edge for next year. He made the right decision by not leaving and coming back."
Tebow threw 32 TDs in 2007, ran for 23 more and became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. He did less this season, but accomplished more by leading Florida to its second national title in three years.
"Overall, I just felt loyal to this place," Tebow said. "I feel like I'm a role model, and a lot of times people start things and don't finish them. I didn't want to be like that. I wanted to be loyal to the university. I wanted to finish what I started and play another year."
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound left-hander was 18-of-30 passing for 231 yards, with two TDs and two interceptions in Thursday's 24-14 victory against Oklahoma in the BCS title game.