Tebow's Speech Immortalized by Plaque

rimrocker · Mar 29, 2009

I think this is appropriate, but it is not enough, as Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg, Henry V's speech at Agincourt, and Travis' speech at The Alamo all pale in comparison... The Book of Tebow should be included in all future versions of the bible.

Tebow's speech immortalized by plaque at Florida
March 25, 2009
CBSSports.com wire reports
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/11548976

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."
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Ugh.

moestavern19 · Mar 29, 2009

wwttd?

DreamRoxCoogFan · Mar 29, 2009

that wasn't a great speech by ANY standard. this is ridiculous.

conquistador#11 · Mar 29, 2009

It's hard for me to hate on Tebow. Especially with all his missionary work, and I'm not talking about hot co-eds.

kikimama · Mar 29, 2009

I don't see what's wrong with this. Didn't he lead them to a championship? I don't think anyone expects a football player's speech to be amazing. Bunch of haters on this board. I don't even care about football...

A_3PO · Mar 29, 2009

DreamRoxCoogFan said:

that wasn't a great speech by ANY standard. this is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

Of course the speech wasn't that great. Tebow rambled it off after a disappointing loss. It's there because they ran the table and won the national championship.

I'm not a Tebow "hater" or "lover", but it isn't his fault the media overexposes him.

ryan17wagner · Mar 29, 2009

DreamRoxCoogFan said:

that wasn't a great speech by ANY standard. this is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

It was a promise. He said it after a loss. They ran the table. Won a national title. That's a standard I can appreciate.

MisterPink · Mar 29, 2009

I really don't like the Gators, especially after all their success in the past few years....But Tebow is a true football player, and I admire the job they've done down there.

Now someone please make all this Gator Nation stuff stop. I almost liked it more when VY was running all over the place...at least he's from Houston.

Call me a hater I guess.

LongTimeFan · Mar 29, 2009

Ugh. This is exactly why I was rooting for OU. Damnit.

jboslett · Mar 29, 2009

The love for Tim Tebow gets downright bizarre sometimes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ5SVMK3mOM

finalsbound · Mar 29, 2009

I read it as "Tebow's Speech Immortalized by Plague" because it's underlined. Had to do a double take.

ClutchCityReturns · Mar 29, 2009

He kept saying "you won't ever see", not "you've never seen".

So that means he won't give as much effort this season as he did last season, or he's a liar.

Rocketman95 · Mar 30, 2009

i'm not seeing a problem here. would anyone have a problem with a plaque on toyota center with rudy t's "never underestimate the heart of a champion" line? nope.

KingCheetah · Mar 30, 2009

I had this speech tattooed in Latin scroll on my shoulder.

DonnyMost · Mar 30, 2009

Man I hate when schools do stupid hero worship crap.

rockbox · Mar 30, 2009

Vince Young never had to make a speech because he didn't lose to a no name team.

leroy · Mar 30, 2009

finalsbound said:

I read it as "Tebow's Speech Immortalized by Plague" because it's underlined. Had to do a double take.
Click to expand...

I did to.

Faos · Mar 30, 2009

professorjay · Mar 30, 2009

It's a little bit hokey for me (a Gator alumn). It seems weird to put it up there when he's still playing there for another season. At least wait until he leaves...

But he made a heartfelt proclamation, followed through on it 100%, and won the National Championship. I don't know how you can knock him for that.

The Cat · Mar 30, 2009

rockbox said:

Vince Young never had to make a speech because he didn't lose to a no name team.
Click to expand...

ding ding!

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