That’s a bit of a shocker–not the trade, which was expected, but the destination: Tim Tebow, the University of Florida quarterback, two-time champion and 2007 Heisman trophy winner who graduated to the Denver Broncos despite the wobbliest throw in the history of the game, and the game’s most obsessively pious player, was just traded to Gotham, land of liberals, atheists, socialists and snarks, where he’ll play for the New York Jets. He didn’t command a very price: a fourth-round draft pick, plus a sixth and seventh pick. Denver just signed Peyton Manning to a five-year deal. It was a given that Tebow’s days in the rarefied airs of Denver were numbered, especially after his over-hyped and unconvincing post-season, though his season wasn’t half bad: he’d turned a 1-4 team into a 7-4 playoff contender even though god was, in 2011 anyway, a Giants fan with little patience for rocky teams. Tebow wanted to return to a Florida team. He’ll have to get used to East Rutherford instead, a very Florida-like flattish landscape of sprawl and asphalt but for the Meadowlands’ smokestacks.
Here’s how the Jets fronted the news on their website, lower-casing the “New” in New Jersey”: “Tebow-mania just got a new Jersey address. […] The deeply religious Tebow wowed Denver fans and the NFL and stirred national interest during last season as he stepped in at QB for the Broncos in the seventh game of the season and led them from their 1-4 start to a 7-4 finish and into the playoffs for the first time in six years. […] One of those regular-season victories, of course, came in Week 11 when Tebow, struggled against the Jets for most of the Thursday night game, and in fact was under center for eight consecutive punts, seven of them on three-and-outs, before leading the Broncos 95 yards to his 20-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left to pull out the 17-13 win. […] Among the teams reported to be interested in trading for the 6’3″, 245-pounder from Florida, were the Jaguars, Packers and Dolphins. Miami dropped out just about the time some area reporters were hearing that the Jets had an interest in bringing him back to the East Coast, onto Rex Ryan’s team and into coordinator Tony Sparano’s offense.”
From USA Today: “It didn’t take Denver VP of football operations John Elway long to find a willing suitor for the polarizing southpaw even as the Broncos were removing Tebow’s pictures from their Englewood, Colo., facilities prior to Manning’s introductory press conference yesterday. “This is a tough business,” Elway said Tuesday. “I will tell you the toughest thing about this whole thing is Tim Tebow because of what I think about Tim Tebow. … The things that he did last year were tremendous in helping turn this organization around from a 4-12 team to a playoff team and winning the division. “I have a great deal of respect for him as a person and the things that he does. There is no question the hardest thing about this business is the personal side. We just had to make a decision as an organization … for what would be the best opportunity to be competitive for a world championship, and Peyton Manning was that. That is why we chose to go that direction.”
Julie Zimmerman Davis via Facebook says
You may be surprised.
GOP says
Tebow is a good example of how kids should be brought up today.. I’m disappointed he didn’t go to Jacksonville because he would be a francise saver.. I’m glad he got away from that jerk and worthless self proclaimed expert on football Elway. Elway will put that team in the basement and no chance for the playoffs, we’ll have to see who he blames then..
Judy V says
I don’t pretend to know whether John Elway is a jerk or anything, but have you ever seen Rex Ryan in action? Tebow is heading out of the frying pan and into the fire with this move – not that he has a choice. But his faith will carry him through I guess.
Sheri Mallery via Facebook says
NO – NO – NO – Come home where you belong in Florida !
GOP says
Judy, I agree Rex may be a problem. I’m also hopeful that Tebow can think faster then Rex and deliver the mail..
Phil Chanfrau says
It will take a miracle for Tebow to become a Jaguar. Do not give up yet!
Samantha L via Facebook says
He might not be going to the Jets
The Truth says
It looks like the trade to the Jets has hit a snag. It’s looking as if Tebow may have the choice between Jacksonville and New York. I would imagine he would choose Jacksonville. They sure could use him.. he could breathe life into this team and also into this city since they struggle to fill the seats every home game. They should have no problem doing that with Tebow as QB.
Blaine Gabbert is not the future of this franchise.
Karen McCraney Dickson via Facebook says
Jax needs to step it up! The fans in Fla. would definitely show grattitude♥
Alison Dawn Wolf via Facebook says
A lot of good Catholics in NY…he’ll be just fine.
Liberal says
I predict he never plays in a Jets uniform, instead, is traded before the start of the season. He is not a good fit for the Jets. Jaguars had an opportunity to boost ticket sales and blew it. Blaine Gabbert? The clock is ticking for Jacksonville.
And by the way, there are liberals, atheists, socialists, and snarks in Florida too. And some of us live very moral lives.
NortonSmitty says
The New York press will eat him alive.
Jim says
Actually it was a 4th and 6th round draft pick for Tebow and a 7th round pick. And according to John Elway the Broncos gave him the choice of either the Jets or Jaguars and he chose NY
Pam says
Tebow has gator blood in his veins. He belongs in Florida.
GoodFella says
Tim will be in good hands.
Angie says
“Obsessively pious”? “Deeply religious”? The words you’re looking for are FAITHFUL SERVANT. Wherever he goes, he will continue to be a faithful servant. Thankfully, Tim Tebow doesn’t need you to understand that to continue in the service of his Saviour. It really isn’t about football.
jespo says
Football is about Football. The only thing Timmy is good at passing is a church basket, not a football. Let him kneel at the bench all he wants while the big dogs go to war, that’s what the little boy should do….faithfuly serve others…and pass them a towel.
Ben Dover says
The Jaguars need to be sold and moved to another state, and I`m sure all other Dolphins fans will agree, been watching Miami on tv for 30 yrs , then this rag tag team comes along and destroys what once was a very good football team. need to take them flea bitten kitties for a ride