Tim Tebow's Amazing Journey to the NFL

Tim Tebow's Amazing Journey to the NFL
By Jara Johnson

Tim Tebow has had the type of life that you typically find in a comic book or and superhero movie. Even before he was born, Tebow fought incredible odds as doctors strongly suggested that his mother consider an abortion in order to save her life. At the time, Pamela Tebow was serving as a missionary in the Philippians, and she had contracted an amoeba infection during her pregnancy. However, she opted to keep the baby, and both she and Tebow managed to survive.

Tebow was doubted often as he grew up. And just as often, he proved those doubters wrong. In high school, he switched schools in order to have an opportunity to play the position he loved: quarterback. By his senior year, Tebow was one of the most highly-recruited players in the nation. In the end, he opted to play for Urban Myers and the Florida Gators.

How did the Gator Nation feel about their team choosing an unorthodox, left-handed quarterback who was built more like a linebacker? There were no regrets. Tebow delivered and would go on to be one of the most popular figures in Gator history. It did not hurt that he was bigger and faster than most of the other players on the field. During his freshman year, Tebow played behind talented senior quarterback Chris Leak, but he still had a special role on the team and contributed greatly to the Gator's National Championship. His most memorable moment was the jump pass touchdown during that championship game.

During his years with the Gators, Tim Tebow won enough awards and recognitions to fill several shelves starting with the Heisman Trophy in 2007. Tebow became the first sophomore to in history to win that prestigious award. That season was also his best passing year. According to ESPN He passed for 3,286 yards with a 67 percent completion rate. In January 2009, Tebow led the Gators to a 24-14 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners to win his second National Championship.

Tebow opted to return for his senior year instead of entering the NFL draft. And from the beginning of his season analysts and experts were picking apart every aspect of his game, especially his throwing motion. He did not have the traditional pro quarterback release, and experts debated if he would be successful in the NFL as a quarterback. Tim also played a very physical brand of football. He was not scared to take off from the line of scrimmage and run the ball. His size and speed allowed this style to be successful for him during college, but experts argued that he would not be able to take hits in the NFL from much bigger, stronger, and faster players.

Tim Tebow's career in the NFL and with the Denver Broncos will always be tied to Josh McDaniels. The Denver Broncos experienced a lot of success with head coach Mike Shanahan, the predecessor to McDaniels. He was named head coach in 1995, and during his term, he won back-to-back championships with John Elway as his franchise quarterback. At one point, the Broncos record was 46-10 over a three year period, setting the record for wins in that time span (The Washington Post,). However, Shanahan's effectiveness faltered, and the Broncos went seven years without a single playoff win. He was fired in 2008 after the Broncos did not make the playoffs yet again.

The Broncos were ready to head in a new direction and Josh McDaniels was their guy.
McDaniel's NFL career began as a personal assistant for the New England Patriots in 2001. He was with the Patriots for each of their Super Bowl wins. In 2007, he took charge of the Patriot's offense, a year in which several NFL offensive records would be shattered. As found on Patriot Achieve, With McDaniel at the offensive helm the Patriots set records for, the most touchdowns (75) and points (589) among many other things,. To top that off, they were also the first team ever to win all 16 regular season games. The 2008 season was even more impressive. The Patriots reached an 11-5 record using backup quarterback Matt Cassel, in for an injured Tom Brady. In two seasons, Josh McDaniels had created quite an impressive resume, and it is no surprise that the Broncos hired him to replace Shanahan.

McDaniels was named the head coach of the Denver Broncos on January 11, 2009. He started with a bang, winning his first six games, but then things got tough. McDaniels was criticized for trading Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall along with running back Peyton Hillis. Both went on to have stellar years. Poor drafting and trading left the Broncos with an offense that was above average, but the defense was among the league's worst.

The summer of 2010 was big for both McDaniels and Tim Tebow. Somehow Tebow had impressed McDaniels enough to take a gamble, and on draft night, the Broncos gave up their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round draft picks in order to snag Tebow with the 25th pick in the first round.

Despite all of the controversy, Tebow was instantly accepted by the franchise and the fans. The franchise praised him for his work ethic and intensity, and the fans brought his jerseys by the thousands. In fact for most of the season, Tebow's number 15 was the top-selling jersey, and he finished the season in the number three spot (Business Insider). The Bronco's expected Tebow to come in and work hard, and the fans expected him to come in and provide a spark to the team. Many people compared him to another Bronco great who shared similarities with Tebow's style of play: John Elway.

Tebow won the backup quarterback spot over Brady Quinn, but he did not see much action at first. Occasionally, when the team was in a goal line situation, Tebow's unique talents were put to use. However, the Bronco's abysmal record and a rib injury to starting quarterback Kyle Orton gave Tebow a chance to start. With just three games left in the season, Tebow proved he could lead an NFL team to victory. He also proved he could excite fans who thought they had nothing to look forward to.

The most intriguing trait that Tebow brings to the table is his potential. He is still very much an unpolished quarterback, but no one works as hard to improve their game as he does. During those three starts, Tim Tebow showed flashes of brilliance that point to the great future he can have - with the right coach, leading him in the right system.

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