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Tebow coming back to Fla


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Tim Tebow started to walk off stage, then called an audible. The Florida quarterback turned around, grabbed the microphone and told teammates, coaches and fans exactly what they wanted to hear.

"Oh, by the way, let's do it again. I'm coming back," Tebow said.

Tebow thrilled more than 40,000 at the school's national championship celebration Sunday by announcing plans to return for his senior season, with hopes of leading the Gators to their first undefeated season and fourth national title.

"Overall, I just felt loyal to this place," Tebow said. "I feel like I'm a role model, and a lot of times people start things and don't finish them. I didn't want to be like that. I wanted to be loyal to the university. I wanted to finish what I started and play another year."

Tebow threw 32 touchdown passes in 2007, ran for 23 more scores and became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. He did less this season, but accomplished more by leading Florida to its second national title in three years.

Tebow completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,746 yards with 30 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also led the team in rushing for the second straight year, gaining 673 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound left-hander was 18-of-30 passing for 231 yards, with two and two interceptions in Thursday night's 24-14 victory against Oklahoma in the Bowl Championship Series title game. He also ran for 109 yards, most of it in the second half.

There was speculation he might head to the NFL, especially since he has talked about wanting a bigger platform to share his religious message and expand his community work, but Tebow said he never strongly considered leaving early.

Coach Urban Meyer set him up with several NFL coaches to talk about his pro prospects. Although Tebow said he got mixed feedback, nothing he heard swayed his decision.

"It was tough because some of that stuff is tempting at the next level and everything that goes along with it, especially ending on a great note ending with the national championship and moving on from there," Tebow said. "I love these guys and coach Meyer and this program too much and I feel we can still end on a bang next year."

The Gators had three seniors in the starting lineup against the Sooners, meaning just about everyone could return next season. Receiver Percy Harvin and linebacker Brandon Spikes, fellow juniors considering turning pro, didn't address their futures Sunday. The deadline for underclassmen to apply for the NFL draft is Thursday.

Meyer said assistant offensive line coach John Hevesy has decided to leave Florida for a job at Mississippi State. Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio also missed the celebration because he was in the hospital recovering from a knee infection.

Meyer said Tebow's announcement clearly means a lot.

"There's the functional football player part of it, but we all know it's much deeper than that," he said. "He is so good for college football. He is unbelievable. When my daughter texts me in the morning the Bible verse he has under his eyes it's good for college football, it's good for young people, it's good for everything."

Tebow spent most of Saturday with Meyer and told the coach his decision late in the day. Not coincidentally, Meyer said he enjoyed his best night's sleep in a while. It eased Tebow's mind, too.

"I wanted to get it done with because I could barely sleep as it is thinking about it and I just wanted to enjoy winning a national championship and not have to worry about this," Tebow said. "It was a little bit of a burden on me. I wanted to just get it done with and enjoy winning a national championship for a week or so."

Still, Tebow wasn't sure how to announce his intentions. Meyer suggested rewarding fans who showed up for the celebration on a cloudy, drizzly day. Tebow obliged, but not until the very end of the 75-minute celebration.

The day started with a replay of the title game, then everyone watched a highlight video of the season. Meyer introduced his seniors, his assistants and then handed things over to players. They quickly turned it into a combination of "Dancing With the Stars" and "American Idol," since safety Major Wright and defensive line coach Dan McCarney danced on stage and the team chaplain sang a cappella.

Safety Ahmad Black delivered the best one-liners of the day. When asked about his fourth-quarter interception against Oklahoma, the one he ripped out of receiver Juaquin Iglesias' hands, Black said, "I think Iglesias might have to get in the weight room some more."

When asked about holding the high-scoring Sooners to 14 points and 363 yards, both season lows, Black said, "Sixty points? Like Spikes said, Big 12 defenses are a joke. We'd have to play like 12 overtimes for them to score 60 points."

Throughout it all, fans kept chanting, "One more year, one more year." Tebow laughed them off at first. He might have even duped some fans when he walked on stage to the "Superman" theme song and started thanking everyone.

Then he called his audible.

"It means a lot for our team, program, everything," offensive lineman Mike Pouncey said. "Tim's going to be a big key for us next year. We really need him. ... It's going to give us a big edge for next year. He made the right decision by not leaving and coming back."

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There was speculation he might head to the NFL, especially since he has talked about wanting a bigger platform to share his religious message and expand his community work, but Tebow said he never strongly considered leaving early.

If he is religious that's all well and good but who the frig cares about his religious message. If he wants to play football fine, but play and STFU because we don't need to be reminded about his particular religious beliefs every time he has a microphone in his face. We already have Kurt Warner for that.

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There was speculation he might head to the NFL, especially since he has talked about wanting a bigger platform to share his religious message and expand his community work, but Tebow said he never strongly considered leaving early.

If he is religious that's all well and good but who the frig cares about his religious message. If he wants to play football fine, but play and STFU because we don't need to be reminded about his particular religious beliefs every time he has a microphone in his face. We already have Kurt Warner for that.

suks to be a Bama fan right now..phuck!

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There was speculation he might head to the NFL, especially since he has talked about wanting a bigger platform to share his religious message and expand his community work, but Tebow said he never strongly considered leaving early.

If he is religious that's all well and good but who the frig cares about his religious message. If he wants to play football fine, but play and STFU because we don't need to be reminded about his particular religious beliefs every time he has a microphone in his face. We already have Kurt Warner for that.

You are a hypocrite. You don't complain about the community work every time the government cheese truck rolls through your neighborhood.

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There was speculation he might head to the NFL, especially since he has talked about wanting a bigger platform to share his religious message and expand his community work, but Tebow said he never strongly considered leaving early.

If he is religious that's all well and good but who the frig cares about his religious message. If he wants to play football fine, but play and STFU because we don't need to be reminded about his particular religious beliefs every time he has a microphone in his face. We already have Kurt Warner for that.

All the bad influences and all around jerks that are the stars in sports and entertainment today, and you want this guy to shut up? Ok bud. If someone puts him infront of a microphone and he wants to share his non-violent religious beliefs, be that of ANY religion, more power to him.

He's a good guy, and since unfortunately kids grow up wanting to be like athletes instead of the real heroes (Fire, Police, our men and women defending us here at home and overseas, so on and so forth), it'd be great if kids wanted to be more like him and less like Pacman Jones, Plaxico Burress, or Matt Jones(not that I think many people look up to him exactly, but you get my point.

He's a better person than I am, thats for sure, and if he wants to talk about what inspires and influences him whenever a reporter puts a microphone in his face, or he sits down at a press conference (or ESPN does a special report about his faith), then he has every right to.

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All the bad influences and all around jerks that are the stars in sports and entertainment today, and you want this guy to shut up? Ok bud. If someone puts him infront of a microphone and he wants to share his non-violent religious beliefs, be that of ANY religion, more power to him.

He's a good guy, and since unfortunately kids grow up wanting to be like athletes instead of the real heroes (Fire, Police, our men and women defending us here at home and overseas, so on and so forth), it'd be great if kids wanted to be more like him and less like Pacman Jones, Plaxico Burress, or Matt Jones(not that I think many people look up to him exactly, but you get my point.

He's a better person than I am, thats for sure, and if he wants to talk about what inspires and influences him whenever a reporter puts a microphone in his face, or he sits down at a press conference (or ESPN does a special report about his faith), then he has every right to.

He can have any religious belief that he wants, we just don't need to hear it all the time. Let him sit in the prayer circle with the other religious players at the end of the game and do his thing. I just want football players to play football. OK bud?

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He can have any religious belief that he wants, we just don't need to hear it all the time. Let him sit in the prayer circle with the other religious players at the end of the game and do his thing. I just want football players to play football. OK bud?

I dont understand this and I see it all the time. When does Tebow force his ideals on anyone??? He thanks God when ever he is given the podium but its not like he holds press conferences to preach the world of the lord.

I am a Gators fan and other than thanking God every time he is an interview, I never hear about it from him.

Yesterday after the games, Donovan McNabb thanked God, Kurt Warner is God thanker, Brian Dawkins is into J.C.

Dont get the big deal. I honestly think Tebow would be more well liked if he was a thug.

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I dont understand this and I see it all the time. When does Tebow force his ideals on anyone??? He thanks God when ever he is given the podium but its not like he holds press conferences to preach the world of the lord.

I am a Gators fan and other than thanking God every time he is an interview, I never hear about it from him.

Yesterday after the games, Donovan McNabb thanked God, Kurt Warner is God thanker, Brian Dawkins is into J.C.

Dont get the big deal. I honestly think Tebow would be more well liked if he was a thug.

why doesnt any of the losers after the game come out and say 'I want to Thank God for this loss'..after all same God,,someone has to lose

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I dont understand this and I see it all the time. When does Tebow force his ideals on anyone??? He thanks God when ever he is given the podium but its not like he holds press conferences to preach the world of the lord.

I am a Gators fan and other than thanking God every time he is an interview, I never hear about it from him.

Yesterday after the games, Donovan McNabb thanked God, Kurt Warner is God thanker, Brian Dawkins is into J.C.

Dont get the big deal. I honestly think Tebow would be more well liked if he was a thug.

:confused0058:

Did you not listen to the announcers Thursday night? The Tebow slurping is out of control.

To say Tebow isnt well liked is beyond absurd.

The negativity, imo, comes from everyone knowing he cant play QB in the NFL. I, like others, despise the spread offense and I think a lot of people take that out on him.

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I dont understand this and I see it all the time. When does Tebow force his ideals on anyone??? He thanks God when ever he is given the podium but its not like he holds press conferences to preach the world of the lord.

I am a Gators fan and other than thanking God every time he is an interview, I never hear about it from him.

Yesterday after the games, Donovan McNabb thanked God, Kurt Warner is God thanker, Brian Dawkins is into J.C.

Dont get the big deal. I honestly think Tebow would be more well liked if he was a thug.

Just once I would love to see someone blame Jesus for a loss.

"Everything was going fine, until Jesus made me fumble!"

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I dont understand this and I see it all the time. When does Tebow force his ideals on anyone??? He thanks God when ever he is given the podium but its not like he holds press conferences to preach the world of the lord.

From the article:

There was speculation he might head to the NFL, especially since he has talked about wanting a bigger platform to share his religious message

The bottom line is as a football fan, I am not interested in your religious message, I just want to to watch you play football. This is much the same as not wanting to hear about Springsteen's or some other musician or actor's political views. I just want to hear the music or watch the movie which is the only reason that I pay attention to them in the first place.

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Joking aside, Tebow's probably going back for his senior year to raise his draft stock.

Don't be surprised if Meyer tweaks the offense to put Tebow into more pocket passing situations to sell him as an NFL QB.

Expect big passing numbers from Tebow in '09.

I don't see it. He should hit the weight room hard and become an H-Back who can sling the ball on trick plays..

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I don't see it. He should hit the weight room hard and become an H-Back who can sling the ball on trick plays..

Or maybe he should follow the Matt Jones track to NFL stardom. :rolleyes:

Tebow wants to be a QB. He is going to put every effort into making himself as attractive a QB draft pick as possible next year.

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I don't see it. He should hit the weight room hard and become an H-Back who can sling the ball on trick plays..

The sad part is that this is his best option, but he's going to refuse to do this. Another year under Meyer's offense isn't going to help at all. You can't exactly tweak a spread option to better fit a player for NFL potential and there's no way Meyer would ever do that anyways if it was even a possibility, which it isn't.

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:confused0058:

Did you not listen to the announcers Thursday night? The Tebow slurping is out of control.

To say Tebow isnt well liked is beyond absurd.

The negativity, imo, comes from everyone knowing he cant play QB in the NFL. I, like others, despise the spread offense and I think a lot of people take that out on him.

The media loves him. Just read the board and you will see what I am talking about when it comes to the hate. Anyone that is not a Gators fan and is not in the media....pretty much hates the guy for being good and thanking God while doing it.

From the article:

There was speculation he might head to the NFL, especially since he has talked about wanting a bigger platform to share his religious message

The bottom line is as a football fan, I am not interested in your religious message, I just want to to watch you play football. This is much the same as not wanting to hear about Springsteen's or some other musician or actor's political views. I just want to hear the music or watch the movie which is the only reason that I pay attention to them in the first place.

I agree. What I am saying to you is that other than thanking God during press conferences or interviews. I dont hear him preaching like he is being made out to be. Really to me, it seems the media does more of the talking than he does.

And honestly, I cant stand when high profile people try to push their ideals. I just dont really see him doing that the way everyone makes it out to be happening.

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So is this religious thing all true with him? Is he really saving himself for marriage? If so what an idiot. Imagine the tail this guy could get..

I believe it. I know I posted that picture but the kid seems to really live and practice what he preaches.

Even if he's saving himself for marriage, BJ's must be ok by the christian church... right?

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The media loves him. Just read the board and you will see what I am talking about when it comes to the hate. Anyone that is not a Gators fan and is not in the media....pretty much hates the guy for being good and thanking God while doing it.

Oh come on, you really don't see why some people would hate on him for being a goody two shoes?

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Oh come on, you really don't see why some people would hate on him for being a goody two shoes?

I'm on both sides of the fence. On one part the fact that he uses any platform to talk about his beliefs annoys the living crap out of me.

On the other side, being a dad, I cannot think of a better person and athlete that I would want my son to look up to. My son is too young to like sports yet but I could only hope there are more athletes like that when he grows up. When you got guys like TO, Pacman Jones, etc., guys like that are a welcome change.

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