Tebow
Dave Hooker audio
- Dave Hooker interviews Florida OL Phil Trautwein about the Gators’ offseason improvement
- Florida QB Tim Tebow visits with the media
- Florida QB Tim Tebow talks about his relationship with East Tennessee native/country singer Kenny Chesney
- Dave Hooker interviews Vanderbilt WR George Smith about the close losses the Commodores have suffered
- Dave Hooker and Drew Edwards interview Franz Beard from Gator Country to break down Florida
- Dave Hooker interviews Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson about the rigors of the SEC and replacing departed WR Earl Bennett
- Dave Hooker and Drew Edwards interview Ron Higgins from the Memphis Commercial Appeal to break down the SEC
- Dave Hooker interviews Mississippi State LB Jamar Chaney about coach Sylvester Croom
- Dave Hooker interviews Mississippi State QB Wesley Carroll about following up a winning season in 2007
HOOVER, Ala. - College football's most prominent conference was overshadowed by one of its own Wednesday. The SEC media days turned into Tim Tebow day.
You only had to step inside the Wynfrey Hotel lobby to realize it. That's where a Nick Saban-size crowd began building late morning.
The line of orange-and-blue clad fans proved you don't need a $4 million-a-year Alabama football coach to draw a crowd in Alabama. All you need is a Heisman Trophy winner with a charismatic personality and a Christian message.
By the time Tebow and the Florida contingent arrived early in the afternoon, the hotel entrance from the revolving door to the escalators was lined with 50-or-so Florida fans, some of whom were too young to grasp the significance of the occasion.
A little girl dressed in a Florida cheerleader uniform screamed in terror as her father held her above his head in hopes of providing a better view.
Another fan, 6-year-old Emma King, would have appreciated the higher vantage point. She has experienced the disadvantage of being a small Tebow fan.
"She almost high-fived Tebow when he came off the field at Ole Miss last year," said Emma's mother, Michele, a former Floridian who lives in Birmingham. "Her arm just wasn't quite long enough."
The Tebow-adoring crowd came up short Wednesday, too. Security guards ushered Tebow to the nearby elevators, rather than through the gauntlet of fans leading to the escalators.
But the fans didn't seem to mind. They didn't have to touch Tebow. They just wanted to see him.
Cody Lee, a 9-year-old from Pell City, Ala., called it "a dream come true" to see Tebow.
"He's a good Christian and a good quarterback," said Cody, who doesn't hesitate wearing his No. 15 Florida jersey in Alabama country.
"They think it stinks," Cody said. "But I don't care. I just ignore them."
One floor up, Tebow's influence was just as obvious. Nissan, a prominent SEC sponsor, placed a Heisman Trophy replica outside the interview rooms.
At least one media-type apparently took the Heisman stand-in for the real thing.
"Do you bring the Heisman Trophy with you wherever you go?" Tebow was asked.
"Everywhere," he said, kidding. "No."
"What went into bringing it here and how did that happen?" the reporter pressed onward.
"Here?" Tebow said. "I think ours is still in my house in Jacksonville. I don't think they moved it."
That was the only question that caught Tebow off guard. Not even Tennessee's Peyton Manning could work a big room with more ease than Tebow does after two years of college.
Tebow, who is the son of Christian missionaries, has spoken to church groups throughout Florida and outside the country as well. His missionary trips between spring and summer school sessions took him to Croatia, Thailand and the Philippines this year. He also has delivered his Christian message to prisoners and youth groups.
Zack Higbee, an assistant director in the Florida Sports Information Office, knows how demanding Tebow's schedule can be. He was assigned to the Tebow beat more than a year ago.
The job then consisted mainly of responding to requests for Tebow to speak at church groups within the state.
"When he got back from New York (for the Heisman presentation), the requests multiplied," Higbee said. "Before then, he was appreciated throughout the state and in the Southeast. Now, it's across the country."
And beyond.
Tebow was even asked to speak at a graduation ceremony in Thailand. Why not? He was in the neighborhood on a missionary trip.
When Tebow wasn't making missionary trips this off-season, he was collecting awards from coast-to-coast. Since his sensational sophomore season, he seemingly has won a prestigious national award every month.
Higbee, who accompanies Tebow on every awarding trip, admits to being travel weary. In fact, Tebow's itinerary sometimes even wears on Tebow.
"Some days, you don't feel like doing everything," he said. "You just want to be a college student and relax or something.
"But I want to do these things because they're more important than playing football for me. If I can change a kid's life for the better, that's much more important to me than beating Georgia or Florida State or whatever team it is."
Downstairs in the lobby, a football fan and mother could appreciate Tebow's talent and perspective.
"Emma has his poster on the wall," Michele King said. "I'm just so glad she picked him for a role model."
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 100
andy112382#209793 writes:
I just want to see Berry make it a habbit of returning Tebow passes for a pick-6, and heck, lets not be bias towards Berry, get Morley in the action as well, give him a pick against the gators too!
DennisVols writes:
John Adams: President of the Tim Tebow fan club.
redstickvol writes:
Does anybody else find it revolting, unethical, in poor taste, bad journalism, etc that JA continues to show a ridiculous amount of bias towards teams other than the one he is supposed to be covering? It would have been nice, rather than to write an article about TIm Tebow, a UF football player, to write an article about one of our seniors that is at SEC Media Days. I understand that Tebow is much more adored right now, however, I bet it would be interesting to read about one of our guys' first experience at an event like this. I would like to know how many other sports reporters around the SEC gush about their team's rivals as much as Adams does about ours. I find it revolting and despicable. Mr. Adams, you are of course as a journalist allowed to report on the topics of your choosing, and you are of course allowed your own loyalties and to support whomsoever you choose. But it seems very out of order for you to write for a paper/website that supports the Volunteers and yet you don't seem to. I for one would ask that you find employment elsewhere.
volwalk writes:
After reading this and all the Tebow/Florida/Georgia hype...I'm thinking we shouldn't even show up for those two games this year. All the "experts" have pretty much crowned those two as being head and shoulders above the rest.
What do you think Vol fans...do you think UT should throw in the towel for 08/09...John Adams and the rest think so.
LargeOrange writes:
This is getting ridiculous, John, was that you on some man's shoulders trying to get a glimpse of your idol? You do know you have to let go of your little "JA" in order for Tim to give you the little snip snip he is famous for, don't you?
TommyJack writes:
Redstick: No. Adams is not a beat writer for the Vols.
1manningfan writes:
hey dcflorida, 99 gator, and mcbrim,
new to the site but not to football lol. i have been reading your guys post for awhile and very respectful of your comments and opinions, espicially 99 gator and dcflorida, mcbrim your just a homer. anyways my points are this i live in tampa,fl and my best friends are gators, i hear them talk the gators up all the time and its not just them. its nothing new the media,radios,tv, and magazine say gators this gators that WE ALL KNOW HOW GOOD THE ARE!!
The gator fans and most other teams fans that are in the top 10 beat there chest thinking there $#it dont stink. so now after five years of tenn being mediocre the other teams fans come on here throwing in there two cents and petty little stats, and its fine thats what message boards are for, every comments to there own.
However, what i cant stand is homer comments that arent thought out and irrational.
So i hear alot of talk also that were getting to excited for something that has not been seen on the field this year in tenn and vol fans are on too much kool-aid, however last time i checked so is everyone else because they wouldnt come on hear blasting and throwing homer stats at us like there the big bad wolfs now in the SEC! My question to all gator fans and other SEC teams besides Alabama where have you been the past 75 year? Realize all sports programs have there up and down years and unfortunantly wright now tenn is down (if you want to call it that HIGH EXPECTATIONS) but keep your heads up great things are to come for us VOLS, what goes around comes around.
Oh yeah one more thing just like i ask my gator friends where were you gators before the 90's? Dont throw stats out on a vols website because last time i checked most EVERY MAJOR record and stat TENN has on the Gator NATION.
kindest regards!!!
Need_2_Know writes:
The Vols D will have to stop him n Harvin from running it, or they won't be passing a whole lot. Let's hope they do, and then the "MoreBerry" defense will be able to demonstrate their considerable athleticism . . . yes, you heard it here first, the MoreBerry D!!! Sound like a cereal . . . maybe the Breakfast of Champions . . .
99gator writes:
1manningfan
before the 1990's, i was waiting for next year.
volwalk writes:
Not bad need2know!
volwalk writes:
The Gators will get embarressed at Neyland. All the hype and big talk is setting the Gatornation up for a big fall.
GreerVol22 writes:
John and Tim sittin' in a tree, K I S S ...
Careful with the man-crush Johnny, Timmy fights back and is good with a knife!
1manningfan writes:
Tim Tebow,
You are a great athelete and person off the field, you deserve all the accolades that have been thrown at you,;although, your not a VOL i always appreciate a great player and person. However, i hope you suck it up this year against the vols lol...
cjraney writes:
DC-
I don't think there's really any question you guys have the fastest offensive players in the country. Fortunately for the Vols, fastest doesn't necessarily mean "bestest" in football pads. IOW, I think we should still play the game (although UGA should go ahead and forfeit the Cocktail Party).
dvols writes:
tebow declined to be a playboy all american? need we explain? anybody see him kiss his roomie last year? verne lundquist did!
kns please send ja south!@
banman360 writes:
i understand it now. john isnt allowed to cover phi. so today is the only day hes allowed at media day. and this is his chance to get back phil like a elementary school girl
volwalk writes:
good point DC, we don't have any team speed here in knoxville. You will see what I mean in a few short weeks.
BSweet writes:
Far be it from me to actually come to Mr. Adams defense, but my understanding of SEC media days is that different teams are spotlighted on different days. Tomorrow is our day, today's was FL's. I am not a Tebow fan, but let's face it, he does have a fan base. Like it or not, he is a story. Now if tomorrow, Mr.Adams chooses to go on a love fest for another team, I'll understand the anger, but today, it makes sense.
volwalk writes:
The problem I see with Florida is too many playmakers and not enough footballs to go around. I see some chemistry problems with your team. There is no doubt that you have a buffet of talent/speed. Meyer/Tebow's problem will be trying to keep all of the playmakers' happy while maintaining team chemistry.
utchris writes:
He may not be a TN beat writer, but his love fest / man crush with Tebow is undeniable. How many times do we have to beat the damn horse? While I care to mostly read UT stuff on here, I would not mind it id they were spreading the love to more great players in the SEC...there are plenty to choose from.
andy112382#209793 writes:
The problem i see with florida is a defense that already had some holes to fill and then they lost 2 safeties.
Having tons of team speed is one thing, but that is just one of many ingredients needed for a championship football team. Otherwise, Leonard Scott would have won a heisman is all it takes is a superb 40 speed.
posivol writes:
j.a. what a hack you are,no credit to phil for recruiting w/ one if not both hands tied behind his back.wish you would write your stories under the same circumstances.seriouly i just wish you would leave knoxville and never come back.
i have found much better sites to support the vols and come here less and less often,im sure im not the only one!
phil wont be the undoing of the vols but dont be so sure that j.a. wont be the undoing of kns.
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Read this excellent article about Foster and you will be even more disgusted with Adams.
http://tennessee.rivals.com/content.a...
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I love it John!! You are obviously just being comical now and having some fun with us fans. The louder we shout for vol news, the more lsu and tebow stuff you serve. I think it's stinking hilarious even though I would appreciate some more stuff on TN.
nivatne writes:
Anyone else just want to tie John Adams and kick him repeatedly in the place where Tebow circumcised him???
rusty_shackleford writes:
Since the MSM loves both tebow and obama, maybe they can be running mates this fall.
OrangePower11 writes:
McBrim...
Today, the gators are 3rd in the SEC East in BOTH football and basketball, while the Vols are 1st in both. Not to mention UF is still trying to run down Michigan WRS. Where is the speed on D?
You stand corrected yet again sir, and you are welcome.
Kindest Regards
OrangePower11 writes:
P.S.
"Head to Head" is exactly what you can expect in the meetings of Tebow and Berry/Morley.
Tell Timmy to bring his smelling salts, it's gonna be a LONG day for him physically.
OrangePower11 writes:
McBrim...104-82 and Divisional Champs in both sports.
Scoreboard
OrangePower11 writes:
Not taking more than two players, it's called TEAM football...Now I know thats a concept foreign to UF football. You just make sure Timmy is healthy when he comes to KVille, I dont want you guys using an injury as an excuse (see Georgia)
Fear not, yall will PROBABLY beat Georgia this year
auttat writes:
Blaaaaaaah!! Was Manning hyped this much while in college? If so, I offer my sincerest apologies to those outside the Vol Family. It is sickening...
OrangePower11 writes:
I must correct myself...
UF was 3rd in the East in football.
UF was 4th in the East in basketball, not 3rd
Kindest Regards
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
John Adams needs to find another line of work. Everybody knows Tebow is for real. UF wouldn't have won the 2006 NC without him. Tell us something we don't know like something about our team, you know the VOLS!
OrangePower11 writes:
McBrim...
We lost in the Sweet 16. I understand you probably missed the outcome while watching the gators lose in the NIT on ESPN 14, but please try to keep up with the news, you are really bringing down our high perception of knowledgable UF fans.
Kindest regards
OrangePower11 writes:
McBrim..
I never said the Vols were "so good" because that is opinion.
I said we are Eastern Division Champs in both BBall and Football, which are facts.
See bud, facts are what I specialize in, and for a small fee, I can help you learn to utilize them in your everyday life.
Im here to help you Mcbrim, allow me to help you.
Kindest regards
OrangePower11 writes:
McBrim...
The ref has already stepped in and stopped this fight because of your inability to defend yourself or your programs status and the 3rd and 4th best team in the East.
Get back to me when you have something of substance, or at least have an educated retort. Until then, go back to bed little brother.
Kindest regards, eh?
wkjq#213863 writes:
I beleive it was Tebow who huffed and puffed and blew Dolly away from Fla. and over to Texas wasn't it. Maybe I'm wrong maybe that was Adams he was blowing.
OrangePower11 writes:
score one for wkjq!
auttat writes:
wkjq, your last sentence is definitely the other way around...
99gator writes:
i've got an over/under for around 75 posts for how long this stuff will last.
and, yes, for those who don't remember, the "media man crush" on peyton manning was something fierce. i think the man crush on tebow is bigger, but it's 10 years later and the level of media attention these guys get has only gotten stronger, plus there's the internet.
now, i know what some of y'all are thinking. if there was a "media man crush" for manning, why was he screwed out of the heisman?
all i can tell you is, the media fawning that he got was awful, awful strong.
when florida would play tenneseee.....it wasn't florida vs. tennessee. it was hyped as manning vs. spurrier. they still treat spurrier that way. you are never playing south carolina. you are playing spurrier.
mloaks#222092 writes:
DCflorida, good takes. yr a worthy advisary...
But with UF's alumni and wealth, they should be so blessed. bang fr buck, the Vols are better.
Tebow is a prince. but Pearl is bigger!
rrvolfan#230816 writes:
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RRVOLFAN: Adams HATREDmania is for real
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chad_t31 writes:
I, for one, don't like the tebow article on this site, I don't like tebow as a player, but I admire him as a person. Football aside, the man has his priorities in order. When all is said and done, God won't care about his football career, it's his faith and belief in God that He will remember. As for the him being gay comments, I don't know, I've heard them all, but if he is the christian he claims to be, there is no way he is gay and think he is going to heaven.
As for the arguing about who is better and since when and in which sport, let it go. Who cares about 1910 or 1980 for that matter. The only game that matters is the next one. We've both proven that the winner of that game isn't guaranteed anything nor does it knock you out of anything. The SEC is too competitive to only worry about the gator chumps. They'll probably beat us, we'll beat a very overrated georgia team, georgia will beat florida and so on...let's just wait for the games.
CedarHillVol writes:
99gator,
as usual you hit the nail on the head-when Peyton was here the media covered everything he did...just like they do for Tebow now. To me he is a quarterback UF can be proud of.
HellBornElfChild writes:
ADAMS: ENOUGH OF THIS GATOR SHMOOZEFEST. COLD YOU PLEASE GO BACK ON VACATION?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good 'un, 99gator. The southern sports media were pretty much "all-Peyton, all-the-time" but opinions and coverage in other regions were less intense and frequent. Even so, his general media presence was so pervasive that it probably worked against him in the Heisman voting. Besides, for all of Peyton's notoriety, he never came into a season as both the defending Heisman Trophy winner AND a former national champion. I give Tebow full props as both a football player and a person, but I SURELY hope we take him and the Gators to the woodshed next season. GO VOLS!!!
mattlock writes:
You can hate a team and still respect a player from that team for his values, his toughness, and the fact that he brings it every Saturday. I hate Florida (perhaps the word hate isn't strong enough to describe my true feelings), but I respect Tebow. No, he doesn't have the best NFL talent, but he has a quality that any team would want; he is a winner. If his guy were at UT, we would love him and the Gator fans would be tired of hearing about how great he it. Tim, good luck to you AFTER you leave UF, but I hope you lose as much as possible while you're still there.
Phil and Co. its time to earn that money and whup up on some Gators in Knoxville. Let's ruin the perfect Tebow ABC Family storyline this season.
99gator writes:
as far as winning awards goes (which i honestly think tebow could care less about), he is going to have to have a beyond monster season to win.....because i think the whole country, outside of the state of florida, that follows college football is suffering from "tebow fatigue"
VolGraduate writes:
today adams has a valid reason to write about tebow but what about the other 364 days?
Waldorf writes:
99 -
Can you guys please bring in another QB along the Doug Johnson/Rex Grossman lines that is as easy to hate off the field as he is on it?
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