Tim Tebow gives impressions of Florida 'Swamp Kings' documentary

The Netflix documentary Swamp Kings was much hyped this summer and heavily featured Tim Tebow, Florida’s former star quarterback.

The former Heisman Trophy winner was integral to those teams and helped the program reach unprecedented heights, nearly winning three national championships during his time in Gainesville. As far as what he thought of the four-part film, Tebow was happy with how it was framed, regarding his former team.

Tebow talked about Swamp Kings when he joined On3 for an exclusive conversation.

“I actually haven’t even seen the whole finished product yet,” Tebow said. “We’ve been on the road like crazy. I’ve gotten to see clips and I know so many people have seen it and shared encouraging things. I think one of my favorite parts was just getting to reunite with so many players that we’re just so close with … There’s a story about a lot of highs, some lows, some great moments, some disappointing moments, but I think more than anything, a lot of people that came together for a cause. 

“And how close so many of us still are and how when we get together, because we’re literally all over the world, when we get together, you can just pick right back up and more than anything, it’s a story of brotherhood.”

Tebow’s former coach Urban Meyer also found it moving. In fact, Meyer said he had “chills” watching Swamp Kings.

“‘Swamp Kings’ just came out,” Meyer said on Urban’s Take with Tim May with Lettermen Row’s Tim May this summer. “I watched that this morning, the first series and got chills just thinking about those great players.”

The game that stood out from the first episode was Florida’s thrilling, 2006 victory over Tennessee, which Florida plays this weekend and Tebow discussed that with On3. 

The Gators trailed the Volunteers 17-7 at one point, but got within a field goal before Tennessee made it 20-14 with 10:49 to play.

One of the plays that stands out from that game came with 7:48 to go. Florida faced a 4th and 1 from the Tennessee 28-yard line. That’s when Tebow — a freshman at the time — ran it two yards to get the first down. That helped set up the game-winning touchdown from Chris Leak to Dallas Baker as the Gators left Rocky Top with the 21-20 victory.

The play put Tebow on the map and was part of Florida’s run to a 2006 national title. But looking back at that particular conversion, Meyer said it showed so much about what makes college football special.

“The 21-20 win against Tennessee in front of 110,000 people, it’s so funny — now that I can reflect a little bit — you’re telling me the college football world changes like that. With someone making a great play on 4th and 1,” Meyer said. “Some freshman named Tim Tebow got the first down by that far.”