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Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy for his outstanding and record-setting play at the University of Florida, was given the surprise of his career before Monday’s National Championship game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the TCU Horned Frogs.
ESPN host and analyst Joe Tessitore ticked off a list of some 18 players and four coaches inducted into this year’s College Football Hall of Fame, but the list did not include Tebow, who played quarterback for Florida from 2006 to 2009, during which he led the team to a pair of national championships in 2007 and 2009.
Tebow won the Most Valuable Player honor in the 2009 BCS national championship game, and he won the Heisman Trophy in 2007. In addition, Tebow was also the first player in NCAA history with at least 20 rushing and passing touchdowns in a season.
After ticking off the list of this year’s inductees, who included University of Southern California running back Reggie Bush and Syracuse University defensive end Dwight Freeney, Tessitore noted on-air, “I forgot one name here.”
“The graphic was missing this because we also have a new Hall of Famer. He is arguably the most popular, the most successful, the singularly most impactful college football quarterback of the last generation or perhaps ever to play,” Tessitore said.
Then, highlights from Tebow’s collegiate career began to play, with Tessitore walking over to Tebow to inform him that he, too, had been inducted this year.
“Timmy, congratulations,” he said while giving him a hug along with fellow ESPN co-hosts Jesse Palmer and Dan Muller.
WATCH:
The 2023 @cfbhall class is stacked!
The moment @TimTebow found out he made it in his first year of eligibility was special ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hLveOM2bCT
— ESPN (@espn) January 9, 2023
“If there has ever been a first-ballot College Football Hall of Famer, it’s this guy,” noted Palmer, who also played quarterback for Florida and went on to play in the NFL as well.
“We know what you were as a player, but your commitment to the sport and the goodness that you’ve brought to everybody through the sport — you’re a Hall of Famer in every possible way,” Tessitore offered as well.
At that, Steve Hatchell, the president of the National Football Foundation, came out after Tessitore introduced him and gave Tebow a football to commemorate his induction.
“This is incredible. Did you guys plan this or something? Honestly, it’s just so humbling. Thank you. There’s so many people that are a part of this,” he said, going on to mention his coaches and teammates.
“My granddad dreamed of getting the chance to see Florida win an SEC championship and he died before that happened,” he said as he choked back some tears.
“So when we were playing, we were playing for something a lot bigger than just winning or losing a game. Something that’s a lot bigger than just a pigskin. You’re playing for family, for relationships, for loved ones. That’s why college football is unrivaled to me. Special game,” he noted further.
Tebow tweeted after the presentation, “Just incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity and all who helped make it possible!! All glory to God.”
Hard to put into words right now. Just incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity and all who helped make it possible!! All glory to God 🙌🏼 https://t.co/NU1oynKFjc
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) January 10, 2023
Tebow played for three seasons in the NFL, taking the Denver Broncos to the post-season after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers on the first play of an overtime game.
He has since found work as a college football analyst, and he regularly spends time doing charity work via his nonprofit Tim Tebow Foundation.
Last year, Tebow moved a crowd to tears with a heartfelt, moving acceptance speech after receiving the Sports Impact Award at the K-LOVE Fan Awards in Nashville.
The awards show, which was held in late May, saw Tebow take the opportunity to thank God for his success and talk about how influential Christianity has been in his life.
“Guys, I just want you to be encouraged because I know it gets hard for so many of you, but you inspire so many people, and I want you to keep going because you have no idea the impact that you’re making on so many people around the world,” Tebow said, going on to explain how inspiring others makes a difference in the lives of other people.
“You inspire people. You know what inspire means? It means to fill someone with the urge to do something, and you do that. You fill people with the urge to want to follow Jesus, and don’t stop that. That’s why what you are doing matters. That’s why being here matters,” he noted.
