GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tim Tebow’s speech following a home loss to Mississippi last September motivated Florida the rest of the season.
Coach Urban Meyer hopes it can do the same for anyone else in Gainesville.
Meyer had Tebow’s speech engraved on a plaque and placed outside the front entrance to the new football facility at Florida Field. Although it might seem like a strange move since Tebow still has one year remaining with the Gators, Meyer said he didn’t want to wait.
“I’m not interested in 10 years from now because who knows if we’re — I might be toes up somewhere,” Meyer said Wednesday as Florida opened spring practice. “I’m not a big fan of, ’Hey, let’s wait down the road.’ It was a speech that everybody in Gator Nation has a right to see on the side of the building.”
Tebow’s speech was an emotional promise he made after the Rebels upset Florida 31-30 on Sept. 27. Fighting back tears, Tebow vowed that no one would in the nation would work harder than him and his teammates the rest of the year. The Gators responded by running the table and beating Oklahoma 24-14 to win the program’s second national title in three years.
Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, said Wednesday he hadn’t seen the plaque that was put up two weeks ago. He already has a replica of his jersey hanging on a wall inside the stadium, part of a tribute to the school’s three Heisman Trophy winners, so getting his speech immortalized might have been a little ho-hum for the 6-foot-3, 245-pound quarterback.
“I guess it’s nice because it’s the university honoring our team and what we accomplished and what that represents and all the work that we put in,” Tebow said. “I guess it’s cool to have something you said up there. It means a lot to some people, so I think that’s cool.”
Tebow said he has been too busy to check out the plaque. He spent spring break on a missionary trip with his family in the Philippines, speaking at elementary schools, high schools and colleges and visiting marketplaces and the orphanage his father helps run.
“Just doing a lot of ministering everywhere possible,” Tebow said.
Tebow returned last week, watched several of his teammates work out for NFL scouts, coaches and general managers and then counted down the day until he could get back on the field. He opened spring practice looking to replace receivers Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy and both offensive tackles, but without many more questions.
The Gators return their entire defense and everyone else on offense.
Offensive lineman Matt Patchan was one of a handful of players who missed practice. Patchan injured his left leg in a scooter accident, but Meyer said he could return next week. Defensive tackles John Brown and Torrey Davis, two high-profile recruits two years ago, have left the team. Meyer said neither will be back this fall, but hinted that Davis could return after possibly attending a junior college.
Tebow, meanwhile, took snaps from under center and started work with new quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler in the hurry-up offense. The Gators want to take a look at the hurry-up this spring after seeing how it helped the Sooners reach the title game last season.
Tebow believes it could make a difference, and given what happened after his speech last season, his teammates certainly won’t question him.
“I felt like he was a prophet for saying it,” linebacker Brandon Spikes said. “He just said it and we got it done. He was a prophet.”
UT's new $45 million football…
Images from Larry Murphy's book on…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 135
abnermc writes:
Sniff , sniff,......
ArealVolFan writes:
Sounds like Myer doesn't plan on being around at Florida much longer..."I’m not interested in 10 years from now because who knows if we’re — I might be toes up somewhere,” Meyer said....translation....I'm going to be in South Bend as soon as Weis gets canned....after all it is my dream job.
Lean_and_Hungry writes:
How touching...
somewhere Verne Lundquist feels warm and tingly...
UTandETSUfan writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Surfingvol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
UTandETSUfan writes:
Altar.... sorry.
kdaff51 writes:
Is it going to hang near all the Tennessee clippings?
VAvolfanRON writes:
I am not sure of the last time I have read an article on UF without the words crying or tears in it!!!!
UTandETSUfan writes:
I could throw out (at least) 10 Vols and 10 Gators better than him...
UTandETSUfan writes:
Is your mind?
UrbanCryer writes:
i luv computer tough girls that sit at home in thier moms basement and call guys names that they would NEVER say to thier face(unless in a public forum). that way the athlete being called names can do nothing. u dont like ut, who gives a s***. we dont uf. go away AZZHAT!!
orangevolz writes:
Excuse me while I puke! What is an article about momma's boy doing on this site. He better enjoy it while he can, because he will be another Danny Wuerffel when he goes to the NFL, provided he even gets drafted.
UTandETSUfan writes:
Vols (no particular order) 1) Dodd 2) Manning 3)Majors 4)White 5)Atkins 6)Delong 7) Henderson 8)Lewis 9) Witten 10) Grant
Gators (no order also) 1) E. Smith 2) Spurrier 3)Reaves 4) Fred Taylor 5) The Freak (Kearse) 6)Youngblood.... 6 gators is all I can do, but if I wasn't at work and had time to think I could come up with more.
UTandETSUfan writes:
oops, please forgive me... I forgot Berry... Dodd is Bobby Dodd, one of the greatest athletes ever, went on to coach Georgia Tech and then became their AD. Everyone else, if you do not know them, you have never watched sports.
ArealVolFan writes:
First off, Peyton is a better QB than Tebow could ever hope to be. Don't care about his record vs Florida. Reggie White, far and away a superior football player to Tebow. Whitten, well we will have to wait till Tebow gets to the NFL to see how good a TE he will be, but my guess is Whitten is better. Henderson, far and away better. Jamal..dominant enough said. Tebow is a great player, but to say there is no player at UT that holds a candle to him well that is just moronic. Coming from you though its not surprising.
UTandETSUfan writes:
He is about to go 4-0 against the Wildcats, isn't he?
And if by "us" you mean UT, you forget his first game was only a 1 point victory
UTandETSUfan writes:
And don't get me wrong. I'm not saying he isn't a great/special player... He is. But to call him one of the "greatest of all time" is completely baseless and wrong.
onevolfan99 writes:
good argument i mean tennessee has not had any good players come through here(payton manning,reggie white, albert haynesworth and the list goes on) tebow has had a great "college" career get back to me when he is half the PRO QB that payton manning is. thats right the experts think that timmy will not play QB in the NFL. Bummer huh
onevolfan99 writes:
You know Gatorz college football runs in cycles and I can't wait until tebow graduates and urban runs for South Bend and you will be cheering for whatever team wins that year, I will get the satisfaction of reading GoVOLSextra and not your posts don't you Gator fans have any sites to go to?
CaptainCalamity writes:
Was this the speech after Tebow and the gators finished 9-4 and got whooped on by Michigan in the Outback Bowl? Legendary season there. (grin)
jimvols13 writes:
Somewhere Gary Danielson is sleeping well tonight...
baldfan writes:
You are a queer
CaptainCalamity writes:
Tebow will be know as the guy that lead Florida to one good season. Not great. Great is when you go undefeated. And Florida won't make it to Pasadena next year. I'll put $5k on it.
please_practice_freethrows writes:
The kid is a class act. I salute him for his accomplishments. Too bad he has to wear those ugly Gator colors. You want to know why govolsextra posted this article?...Because everyone on this site will read it. Every Gator fan with nothing better to do than visit rival teams sites and post stat skewed biased moronic opinions and also every angry UT fan with nothing better to do will read and post a comment also. Not a bad move, if you are wanting to "stir the pot" and keep people coming to the site. Give Tebow the credit he deserves. He has earned all of the accolades. He knows how to win. Just go beat him in September and we can post in joy until our fingers fall off. Oh yeah, and stay ahead of them in the BCS until the second week of January! GO VOLS!
rockitwithrespect writes:
dc should take teblow out for dinner, maybe split a nice bottle of wine while he strokes his hair in a lovingly fashion and asks him about his day.
Voluvr writes:
LOOK, he's a great guy and athlete, but, a speech only says what he is going to do; to work hard as he can. Great for him, but do you really think that's what inspired a team to run the table? Did they not have the gumption before that? lol.
This is media soak. Great human interest story. Fact is, Tebow almost didn't go there. Florida is the beneficiary of FSU, Miami, and Tennessee on the Down Swing. FSU and Miami have not been diluting the Florida talent pool in a while. So, great for Tebow. This is likely where his football success will be and God Bless him on the mission field. I hope he keeps winning there especially!
However, to say the greatest player you would have to say the one of the top College players to play the game.
please_practice_freethrows writes:
Well Said. I couldn't agree more.
Voluvr writes:
There ain't a horse that can't be rode,
and there ain't a cowboy that can't be throwed.
Okay, I'm out of this KNS stir em up story site now.
bluetick writes:
Prophet my @ss! Love the Philippines though. Only place left in the world you can find a virgin at 40 years old. LOL
GahLee writes:
Tebow is very good in the system that they run...no doubt about that. A stand-up guy...indeed. But he is not the greatest player ever. Two words.......Barry Sanders! Not only the greatest college player ever, the greatest to ever lace'em up in the pros too...will debate this to my death, so just try me.
DekanGator writes:
Why do you want Tebow to go?
Because you think The Mighty Gators will falter? Don't forget the Gators won the National Championship with Chris Leak as QB (oh yea, You were the one who said Meyer only won because it was Zooks Team.
Then you said the spread wont work in the SEC...Wrong again.
Now your saying Meyer will go to ND? Well I think Kiffin will be gone from Tenn before Meyer is gone from UF.
If and its a big IF, Kiffin does real well, Hes gone to the pros! Bank on it!
GahLee writes:
Only maybe 3 or 4 of these guys are even debatable. Manning you could argue, but you probably wouldn't win ...none of those Florida players are even close. I hate Florida but Tebow is that good at the college level, granted he has fallen into a system that fits him perfectly and the team he plays on is loaded with NFL talent, hate him if you want but give him his dues at the same time...still Barry Sanders is untouchable by any statistical measure.
VAvolfanRON writes:
I just picture gatorz and DC holding hands right now as they post their comments and snickering.
A trucker picked them up hitchiking....they were sitting in the same seat.....then they would start passing 'silent but deadly' gas.....the would just snicker and laugh.....the trucker finally had enough...and he let out the biggest....loudest....longest farts......
gatorz looked at DC and stated "oh, a virgin"
VAvolfanRON writes:
don't get your pocket protectors in a wad.....it was a joke!!!!
GahLee writes:
Anything I say on here I would say to that person's face...granted I don't run my mouth like some people...but something tells me that if Eric were in the room you would bow down and ask for an autograph...after all he is the best defensive player in all of college football...bar none!
GahLee writes:
wow! that is all I can say...wow!
utdefender88 writes:
I guess Tee Martin is the best since he went undefeated unlike Tebow! Personally I like watching tebow, but he's not perfect! Tee was in 98 though!
markw20012002 writes:
Gatorz3 + DCdynasty = Gay Dynasty
tennezz writes:
Is erbie going to put his speech from coaches clinic in pennsylvania up there to?
belayvol writes:
I had a couple dozen of blazing hot wings for dinner. I am happy to report i just left the bathroom after having "A great gator moment". No wonder they say you guy's stink.
belayvol writes:
And a small, yellow stream down the thight. Get over it Keith Obermann.
utvol2485 writes:
I guess you and Gatorzzz are back to giving each other reach-arounds. How cute.
Chills up your spine? Did Gatorzzzz tickle your bung with his little finger again?
I was surprised Coach Urban Meyer didn't come sauntering out to the media room with a box of tissues in one hand and a bottle of warm breast milk in the other just for Teblow. I was just waiting for Meyer to hunch down, tell him everything would be ok, and finish it all off with a hug and a kiss on the forehead.
Meyer won't know what to do when his buddy Jesus Christ Superman is gone. He'll probably go in his office and cry himself to sleep whilst clinging to Teblow's jersey.
I can hear it now...
"Timmy, I miss you! I miss your scent! I miss the tickle fights in the shower with Percy! I need you! You complete me! I can't quit you!"
gnm53108 writes:
Add Bob Suffridge.
3 time All American.
When freshman werent even allowed to play varsity.
Halls3 writes:
UT fans seldom cease to amaze me. You guys will throw any trashy comment you can at anybody. Tebow, one of the greatest collegiate players ever regardless of opinion, does nothing but win & provide inspiration for today's youth. Yet you guys constantly tear down a great player & person & for what reason to make yourself feel better b/c you don't have an ounce of the God given talent this kid has? Is it jealousy b/c he outshines any player UT has at this time? Or is it the 2 National Championships, 2 SEC Championships, & Heisman Trophy you tear him down for? Now come on give the guy the credit he deserves regardless of who he plays for b/c it may be awhile before we see another player of this caliber. The last player of this caliber was Barry Sanders & that was 20 years ago. Enjoy Tim Tebow for what he is, a great football player & even better person.
Halls3 writes:
I am a UT fan you idiot & I'm disgusted by some of the garbage UT fans post on here.
smokyredbone writes:
Why would this stupid azz article be on this site! With KNS NOT CLEANING UP THE TRASH,ARTICLES LIKE THIS CONVINCE ME THEY MUST BE Gator FANS.I'M GOING TO BECOME A TROLL,BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE MORE Gator FANS THAN VOL FANS LEFT ON HERE! IF I EVER SEE THAT QUEER KISSING ANOTHER TEAMAMATE OR CRYING ON TV I WILL PUKE MY INSIDES OUT! THEY HAVE A WHINNING COACH AND A CRYING QB,GIVE ME A BREAK!!!! GO VOLS NEVER CRY ON TV!!!PLEASE!
Flyfisherman writes:
Hey, I'm a Vol fan and I like Tebow (not UF)....you can't argue with what he's been able to do at FL...but when it's said and done, we'll see how many NFL League MVPs or Super Bowl MVPs he has by his name or how many times he leads his team to the Super Bowl...and that's the word!
He's a winner in the system which he plays and that's what it's about in college. This year, though, he'll find a Tennessee that he has never seen and I'm sure hoped that he never would.
Halls3 writes:
Oh & yes I do root for Florida as well but that doesn't make me anymore a Florida fan than a Vol. I just think it's sad that people will degrade anyone to make the person look below themselves. Plus if I wasn't a Vol fan why would I even be on this site b/c no offense to KNS but I read their paper everyday & wonder how easy it must be to get a job there.
smokyredbone writes:
Your not a Vol fan d-c-head!! If you were,you would know most of the ire is directed at the Gator fans that come on here and taunt from behind their keyboards! If there was anyway they would have to come out from behind those sticky keyboards and actually defend themselves you would never here another word out of them!! STFU if you are so disgusted leave and take the trolls with you! Then maybe Vols fans can discuss our teams and not have to write with anger!!
smokyredbone writes:
That proves my point idiot! No Vol fan on earth roots for the Gators for anything! I was an OKLAHOMA SOONER fan during the Championship game and am ALWAYS FOR WHOEVER IS PLAYING THOSE CONVICTS!!! DON'T CALL YOURSELF A VOLFAN PROFESSOR! EVER! I HOPE I DISGUST YOU ENOUGH TO TAKE YOUR AZZ OUT OF HERE!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.