Tim Tebow recalls his favorite Florida-Florida State games
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Growing up a fan of the Florida Gators just up the road in Jacksonville, the Florida-Florida State rivalry meant more to a young Tim Tebow.
“Every year growing up we would watch the game and if we won, it was, ask my parents, arguably the best day of the year and if we lost, it was mortifying,” Tebow recalled on Friday to local reporters. “I was probably, I would lose perspective and it felt like the world was ending and I begged them to let me not go to church on Sunday because I couldn’t handle the FSU fans.”
When Tebow chose to attend the University of Florida, he became part of the rivalry game he loved.
Tebow terrorized the Noles for four seasons. He completed 62-of-84 (73.8%) of his pass attempts for 929 yards, 9 touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 219 rushing yards and four more touchdowns on the ground as the Gators went 4-0 over their instate rival during his career.
Tim Tebow recounts his favorite memories from the rivalry
“Freshman year, going there and beating them in a close game, and then my sophomore year, I remember just — probably one of my favorite memories, even though it was painful, was on one of the first drives of the game I was stiff-arming one of the guys and another FSU guy hit my hand and broke it because it got in between two facemasks,” Tebow recalled. “I was just like there’s no chance I’m telling anyone my hand is broken even though I knew it because I could feel it. There was no chance. Even when we were beating them bad at the end of the game, I’m still playing this game to the very end. That’s how much it matters to me.”
Top 10
- 1Live
Vols react to Arkansas loss
No. 4 Tennessee falls to Razorbacks
- 2
Diego Pavia
Meet the electric Vanderbilt QB that knocked off No. 1 Alabama
- 3Live
Tide Fans Meltdown
No. 1 Alabama falls to Vanderbilt
- 4Trending
Goalposts hit Broadway
Vanderbilt fans carry goal posts through Nashville
- 5
Kirby Smart calls out fans
Georgia head coach unhappy with home crowd
“Junior year, there when it was raining, I remember probably one of the most upset and intense moments of any game I’ve ever played in was when they twisted Percy’s ankle and the crowd started chanting something that I can’t repeat. I just remember that our huddle was a very intense place and the next play, we said, ‘Everybody get in the end zone. Pouncey’s, we’re following you.’ But, literally, everybody because you know what happens if I’m carrying the ball and we’re all in the end zone. That means it’s a touchdown. We literally drove them like eight yards deep into the end zone and I think that just talks about how much the game means but also the brotherhood and camaraderie and teamwork. I don’t know, it’s just special.
Tebow will be in Gainesville on Saturday night for the game for an on-campus salute to honor his imminent College Football Hall of Fame induction. Tebow will be on the field and honored in front of a sold-out crowd between the first and second quarters.
The Gators and Noles will meet at 7:00 pm and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.
![A touchdown is celebrated with fireworks in the first half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 17, 2022. [Cyndi Chambers/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Usf Bulls](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/08/27214921/Untitled-design-4-4.png)
![Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) hauls in a pass while taking balls from a throwing machine during University of Florida Gators’ Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 28, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/01212103/Untitled-design-80.png)
