Tim Tebow Early Life Bio - University of Florida (UF)
Gators Quarterback Now With Denver Broncos
For More On Tim Tebow...Click Below!
Through My Eyes
Nathan Whitaker
Through My Eyes: A Quarterback's Journey, Young Reader's Edition
Tim Tebow
"Tebow Time": The Biography of Tim Tebow
Brody Anderson
Growing Up Colt: A Father, a Son, a Life in Football
Colt McCoy
Tim Tebow became a household name for most sports fans during his four year career playing
quarterback for the University of Florida (UF) Gators football team during the 2006, 2007, 2008, and
2009 seasons. While even casual sports fans are familiar with the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback
fewer are aware of what his early life bio was like long before being drafted by the Denver Broncos in
April of 2010 or signing on to play college football for coach Urban Meyer at the University of Florida.
Tim was born in August of 1987 in the Philippines in a city that most Americans have never
heard of called Makati City. The seemingly odd location of his birth is a result of the Christian
missionary work that his parents Robert and Pamela were doing in the South Pacific at the time. Robert
and Pamela met at the University of Florida and for many years now the couple oversees an orphanage
in the Philippines.
Tim, along with his siblings, was home schooled from an early age. The motivation of the
family to have the mother homeschool the children was largely motivated by the desire to have a
certain faith based set of beliefs instilled into their children, a set of morals that the family felt would be
taught more effectively at home rather than in a traditional school setting. Although this premise makes
sense when comparing homeschooling to traditional public schools why the family did not choose a
private parochial education is unclear.
A 1996 Florida piece of legislation allowing home schooled children to compete in high school
sports within the local school districts they lived in actually paved the way for Tim Tebow to eventually
become a household name. The high school football career of the future first round NFL draft pick
quarterback began very discreetly while Tim was home schooled and playing linebacker and tight end
at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. As many amateur football analysts with 20/20
hindsight can attest the full potential of Tim's athleticism, throwing ability, and leadership skills were
underutilized at the tight end position on offense.
In a successful effort to find a high school football program where Tim could flourish as a
quarterback Tim and his mother moved from their family farm in Duval County to an apartment in
neighboring St. Johns County in Florida so that Tim would be eligible to play at Nease High School. In
large part because Tim was such a standout athlete upset parents of opposing players were frustrated
that as a home schooled student athlete he essentially had his pick of any team to play for.
Tim was named the state of Florida Player of the Year following both his junior and senior
seasons in high school. Among the numerous accolades that he accumulated during his prep career
were recognition as an all-state football player and being named a Parade All-American. In a turn of
events that certainly would have surprised the Trinity High School football coaches in Duval County
who placed Tim at tight end Tebow was named as one of the best high school football players in the
hundred year history of Florida high school football as one of 33 members of the FHSAA (Florida High
School Athletic Association) All-Century Team.
Kim, the author of this article, does not know if with the money Tebow makes from his first pro
contract if he'll buy a University of Florida shuffleboard table because given his history of charitable
work that includes summers volunteering in the Philippines it seems much more likely that any excess
cash will go to the needy. Having said that considering that both of his parents are Florida alums
perhaps a blue UF Gators shuffleboard table would make an excellent gift to thank his parents for
everything they've done for him. The purchase could be justified as fostering quality family time.
Readers fond of the idea of having their own Florida Gators shuffleboard table are encouraged
to check out the links in the previous paragraph to learn more.
For More On Tim Tebow...Click Below!
Through My Eyes
Nathan Whitaker
Through My Eyes: A Quarterback's Journey, Young Reader's Edition
Tim Tebow
"Tebow Time": The Biography of Tim Tebow
Brody Anderson
Growing Up Colt: A Father, a Son, a Life in Football
Colt McCoy