The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed Northeast Florida native and former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow as a tight end, the team announced today.
The move reunites Tebow with former Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer, who was recently tapped to lead Jacksonville's NFL team.
"I want to thank the Jaguars for the opportunity to compete and earn the chance to be part of this team," Tebow said in a news release from the team. "I know it will be a challenge, but it is a challenge I embrace. I am dedicated to taking the direction of our coaching staff and learning from my teammates. I appreciate everyone's support as I embark on this new journey."
Tebow's NFL career spans three seasons, two with Denver and one with the New York Jets. He was originally drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft and played in nine games as a rookie, passing for 654 yards and five TDs, while adding 227 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. In 2011, Tebow played in 14 games and completed 126-of-271 passes for 1,729 yards and 12 TDs. His sophomore season was punctuated by a game-winning 80-yard TD pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime to defeat Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Prior to his first stint in the NFL, Tebow attended the University of Florida, where he was a two-time national champion, two-time SEC Player of the Year, two-time First-Team All-American, AP Player of the Year (2007) and winner of the 2007 Heisman Trophy. Prior to his time in Gainesville with then-Head Coach Meyer, Tebow competed at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville and Nease High School in Ponte Vedra.
In addition to his football career, Tebow has engaged in philanthropic initiatives, including his own Tim Tebow Foundation, which aims to bring "faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need." The Jacksonville native also spent several years competing in minor league baseball and has served as a college football analyst on ESPN and the SEC Network. In December 2020, he became a part-owner of the Jacksonville Icemen.
He and his wife, Demi-Leigh, were married in January 2020.
