Tim Tebow reveals emotions behind hall of fame induction, credits teammates for success
Earlier this week, two-time national champion and former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow was announced to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. Saturday night, his alma mater, Florida, is set to honor their legendary quarterback.
Tebow addressed this honor, and what it means to him — and more importantly, to those that helped him along the way.
“It really is just a humbling day and humbling night,” Tebow said on SportsCenter ahead of SEC Nation. “There are so many amazing honorees in this class and so many that I got to play against, but I also think today is also about who I got to play with. The amazing teammates — the Percy [Harvin’s], the [Brandon] Spikes‘, the [Mike] Pouncey’s, the [Chris] Rainey’s, the [Riley] Cooper’s the [Louis] Murphy’s, the Major [Wright’s] — all of these teammates that rallied together for something bigger than themselves, and, I think out of everything that I can think of, it’s just the camaraderie, it’s the family.
“It’s the brotherhood of all of us coming from different backgrounds, different places, but coming together with one common mission. And it’s pretty cool because we got to accomplish a lot of those –not all of them — but we did get to do some really special things together and I will be forever grateful for that brotherhood.”
Tebow will be the 10th Florida Gator to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. During his time in Gainesville, Florida amassed a 48-7 record — which is indicative of the final score that Tebow’s Gators used to trounce opponents by — where he went on to break 28 school records during his four-year stay on campus.
He went on to be named a consensus First Team All-American in 2007 before claiming the Heisman Trophy in the same season. He was a finalist for the trophy in both 2008 and 2009, and became the second player in college football history to repeat as Maxwell Award winner in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
His accolades don’t stop there, as he also lays claim to three consecutive SEC Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-SEC selection honors (2007-2009), three SEC Championships (2006-2008), two national championships (2007, 2009) and a Sugar Bowl win in between.
Given everything Tebow gave for Florida — literal blood, sweat and tears — this honor is, in a way, long overdue for one of the most exciting quarterbacks to ever play college football.
Kickoff between Florida and Florida State is set for 7 p.m. ET live from The Swamp.