Tim Tebow, a two-time national champion and one-time Heisman Trophy winner, walked away from college football in 2009 as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the sport’s history. The Denver Broncos selected Tebow in the subsequent draft, and with the 25th overall pick, Tebow mania began. The polarizing Tebow played just two seasons in Denver. He struggled with passing, put on a mythical performance in a playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and barely won more than he lost before heading to the New York Jets for the 2013 campaign. Three practice squads later and five seasons playing baseball in the New York Mets minor league system, the once college football legend officially retired.
Despite a storied college career and electric work ethic, Tebow made just 16 starts in the NFL before hanging up the cleats for good. Tebow’s professional shortcomings are well documented. However, fellow Heisman Trophy winner and NFL burnout Johnny Manziel shared his thoughts on the former Florida superstar’s career arch while on the Bertcast, a podcast hosted by comedian Bert Kreischer.
Johnny Manziel: Talks Tim Tebow’s NFL Career
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel knows a thing or two about being an elite college quarterback turned NFL castoff. Manziel, much like Tebow, was the face of college football during his tenure with the Texas A&M Aggies, becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman. The dual-threat Manziel ran for 2,169 yards and 30 touchdowns from 2012 to 2013 while also throwing for 7,820 yards and 63 touchdowns. Again, like Tebow, Manziel became a first-round selection in the subsequent NFL draft despite questions about his play style. Less ceremoniously and more chaotically, Manziel’s NFL career was short-lived, and he remains one of the least productive first-round quarterbacks of all time.
In an interview with Bert Kreischer on his podcast, the Bertcast, Kreischer presented Tim Tebow as a perfect example of a great college quarterback failing to transition to the NFL. With Breischer debating Tebow’s failures falling on his play style or coaching, Manziel interjected with his thoughts on Tebow’s NFL journey.
“I think I probably have a little more of an idea of what it could be. I think, more than anything, life is about finding your purpose. What you’re really truly good at. Just because you’re truly gifted at something at some point in time in your life doesn’t mean it isn’t meant to be forever. Tebow from what I see and what I know of him, his purpose that he is fulfilling in life right now seems to be bigger than the game of football. In his regard, in his right, for what he believes in and who he is, his purpose seems to be driven by something different.”
Tebow, a devoted Christian, is outspoken on social media about his faith. While a superstar with the Florida Gators, Tebow routinely wore eye black with bible verses written under his eyes. In the 2009 BCS National Championship, the three-time Heisman Trophy Award vote-getter wrote John 3:16 on his eye black, resulting in over 90 million Google searches. Tebow continues his advocacy for Christianity through podcasts, books, and media appearances. He is also a college football analyst for ESPN.
Manziel: Compares NFL Career to Tebow
Tim Tebow’s NFL career lasted three seasons on the active roster, completing a brutal 48% of his passes for 17 touchdowns against nine picks. Johnny Manziel’s NFL career lasted even shorter, completing 57% of his passes for seven touchdowns and seven picks in two years. However, Manziel, who struggled with sobriety during his professional career, believes he wouldn’t go back and change the past.
“That’s why I am okay and wouldn’t change things for really anything in the world. Would I like to go back and do things a little smarter? Maye, but I don’t think it would have made the outcome any different because if your purpose and passion is not behind it, how can you be successful,” said Manziel.
The 2012 SEC Offensive Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy Award winner continued, saying, “I look at Tebow’s story and a situation; you want to know a guy who was in the (expletive) gym every day from five am to fucking seven? Who was watching film, every bit of film? Who was out there doing air drills and air routes on the field in Foxborough in the (expletive) cold? Want to know what was doing all that, and it still didn’t work out? Tim Tebow.”
For More Football News:
For More Football News and to dive into the excitement, follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. Let’s get the conversation rolling! I’m all ears for your thoughts and insights. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!