Tim Tebow Zone

Lately, the Tim Tebow fan mail has been pouring in. It’s coming in so fast I don’t have time to read them all. But this one did strike me as something unique. I’m not sure we’ve ever had one like this before so I wanted to post it here. Once again, I’ve changed the names to protect the privacy of the sender.

Dear Tim,

I just wanted to thank you for being such an amazing and inspirational person. A lot has happened to my family in the past 6 months, and you have somehow given my parents (especially my Mom) a glimmer of hope. You see, my younger brother (Jason) was a freshman at the University of Florida last year (’08/’09). He was majoring in Aerospace Engineering. He was a very intelligent, caring, and fun person. Things got really tough for him at school because all of his friends attended different colleges and universities. All he had was the girl he met during his first semester.

They were together for about 9 months, but they spent the majority of their relationship fighting. It wasn’t good for him. Something went terribly wrong, and he took his life this past June. It was the most difficult thing my family and I have had to deal with. My Mom was the one who found him in his bedroom. She was completely devastated. It’s a miracle, to me, that she’s been able to go on with life the way she has. To feel closer to my brother, she’s watched every single Gators game and supported you guys to no end. You ended up being her favorite player not just because of the things you’ve done for the team, but for how inspirational you’ve been. You’ve given her some amount of hope in an otherwise gloomy situation. She’s very proud of all that you’ve accomplished. It would be amazing if there was some way that she could meet you.

Well anyways, I just wanted to thank you for all that you have done for the people all around you.

- Karen

If you have any fan mail or stories you would like to share with the TebowZone community, please contact us and I’ll be glad to post them.

I know it’s Florida vs. Georgia week … and I’ll get to that tomorrow, but I saw this email come through on Monday and wanted to post it. I’ve changed the names to protect their privacy. Shelia B. wanted to tell Tim Tebow how much he means to her fiancee, Jimmy. Jimmy went through some tough times growing up and now Gator football is his greatest passion. It’s stories like this that make Tim unique among all other college players. His reach over the entire world is amazing. It’s quite clear now that he came back to UF for his senior season not just to bring an undefeated season to the school, but to use football as a platform to share his beliefs and to be a role model to everyone.

Tim,
I just wanted to let you know what an inspiration you are to people of all ages. Not only are you an awesome football player but a role model too. My fiancee, Jimmy, is 30 years old and looks up to you with so much adoration. If I may tell you his story I know you will understand why. When he turned 18 he fought for custody of his younger brother and sister because his parents were less than capable of caring for them due to “selfish reasons”. His sister was in a girls home and brother was a ward of the state. He won and raised them until they were old enough to care for themselves. His brother and sister now have families of their own.

The sacrifice Jimmy had to make was his life long dream. Ever since he was a kid his dream was to be a baseball player. He played all through high school and received a scholarship to UF to pitch. When his family was in need he chose them over his dream. Instead of going to UF he worked 3 jobs and raised his brother and sister, at 18 years old. He is a die hard gators fan and has watched you through out your entire career. Now, he’s not much of a religious man but he even looks up the scriptures on your face on game day. He’s very impressed by your lifestyle, the way you carry yourself and what you put your heart into. To him, everything you do is to try to make a difference for someone else. Again, I just wanted to let you know how much you mean to him and how much he looks up to you. He doesn’t realize it but I look up to him.

-Shelia B.

If you would like to share a piece of fan mail with the readers on this website, please contact us. If you want to send good luck notes for the Florida vs. Georgia game I’ll post those on Friday.

A couple of weeks ago I posted a blog entry about the Florida Gator Fan Day. At the ends I asked for some of you to submit pictures and stories because I was not able to make it this year. Laia G. had a pretty cool experience at Fan Day and was one of the lucky fans to meet Tim Tebow! Here’s her story:

Hi my name is Laia G. and I attended fan day last weekend. Knowing that it was the 16th, 2 days after Tim’s birthday I made him this birthday card…I thought it looked pretty good…I spent 3hrs on it perfecting the drawing. When we got up to the table to get pictures and autographs, I handed him my card and I said “Um me and Ms. Amy made you birthday cards, I know it’s a little late but-” and he said “Oh these are cool! Thank you very much!” He stood up and hugged me and I got my picture with him. It was like the best day ever!

*GO GATORS*
Laia G.

I live in Jacksonville, which is also where Tim Tebow is from, so there is always a huge craze about him everywhere you go. This town really loves and supports Tim. From time to time you’ll also hear a story… maybe someone saw Tim at the St. Johns Town Center or they go to church with the Tebows… Well, today I was at the gym and heard a really amazing story.

There’s a woman here in Jacksonville who is terminally ill. She is a lifelong Gator fan through and through. Unfortunately she was too frail to make it to Gainesville for the games. Knowing she didn’t have much time left, family and friends of hers were able to coordinate with UF an opportunity for Tim to sign a card for her. So while the family is in Gainesville having Tim sign the card, he asks “so where does she live?” They respond “Jacksonville”… to which Tim replies something along the lines of “oh ya? that’s where I’m from… why don’t you write down her address for me.”

Sure enough the next time Tim was in Jacksonville he stopped by to see her and talk with her. It’s amazing what Tim will do help people.

I know there are countless stories just like this one. If you’d like to share a Tim Tebow story or you have a fan letter for him, please contact us and I’ll gladly post it here.

I was browsing Flickr for some new photos of Tim Tebow to show all of you, when I came across a photostream of a family that claims to have named their newborn son after Tim Tebow. The baby’s name is Tebow Crumley.

Here’s a picture of baby Tebow.

Check out more pictures here.

I did a little research and found out the family has a blog: Crumley Blog. On the blog they posted a pie chart of if people thought naming their kid Tebow would be a good idea. Not sure it has a good ring to it, but that’s a nice honor for Tim.

How weird would it be if he grew up and was a quarterback at Florida?

If you read this website and know anything about Tim Tebow, then you should know that he is a Christian and very faithful. Tim is now in his junior year at UF and has stayed true to his Christian values throughout the college experience. With all the temptations college brings, this can be a difficult task.

We got a letter from a fan that wants to know how Tim does it. I’d like to encourage the readers here to comment on this post with your advice.

Dear Tim,
I am a freshman at Alabama and I an also a Christian like you.  The reason I’m mailing you is because i saw on T.v. where you minister to people in prisons and all over the world.  My dilemma is that I am finding very hard to stya on the path God wants me to be on during college.  Its not like I party all the time, but its little things like cursing, and not reading my Bible, and not spending time with God that is bringing me down. And I am afraid if I keep going the way I am that I will eventually fall away from the Christian lifestyle all together.  My question how do you manage to stay faithful in a college environment that is hostile towards Christians?

If you’d like share a story or send a letter, please contact us.

Well, we are in a game week now, after that long week off. I know I didn’t post much, but that’s because there wasn’t much going on with the Gators off and all. But here’s a Tim Tebow letter we got from a fan. I changed the name to protect her identity.

Hello, my name is Rachel and I am huge fan of Tim Tebow. I have been a gator fan ever since I was a young girl. I’ve stuck with them through thick and thin, even though I endured much teasing. Well, they can’t tease me now thanks to you. Not only do I like how you play, but I admire your stand for Christ. I’m also a Christian, and I think it is wonderful that you are so open about your faith. Someday I hope to open up a children’s shelter but I have to graduate from college first. Sometimes I feel like that will never
happen. But I know that the Lord is with me all the way and will provide for all my needs. I have an uncle that lives in Tampa and goes to General Baptist Church, and he also is a huge fan of yours. Sometimes when we are able to get together we love to watch you and the team play. So, keep up the good work and I’ll be cheering for you.

Your fan,
Rachel

Remember, if you want to send us a Tim Tebow story, letter or tips… please contact us.

The Florida Gators are off this week, so I won’t have any game previews. I’m sure there will be plenty of practice updates, videos (maybe the Tebowettes?) and stories I can share.

Today, I wanted to post an e-mail we got from a fan. He’s from Ocala, but never grew up a Gator fan… but he is a huge Tim Tebow fan. Check it out:

I just watched the video of you on your summer mission trip. I grew up in  Ocala and until recently have lived there. I have never really been a Gator fan and to tell you the truth I’ve always pulled for the Hurricanes, that is until recently. I am however a Tim Tebow fan. It’s not because of your accomplishments on the field as much as off the field. You always give God the glory and you are so aware of where your talents came from. I wish that more youth these days would find the same spiritual happiness that you have. You are so eager to spread Jesus’s love and blessings and I believe that he will open many doors for you. I hope some day to meet you and shake the hand of a man that has been sent to this world to spread Gods Amazing Grace. He has given you a big pulput to preach from. May God bless you and your family and all those that you come in contact with. Oh yea, thanks for waiting to beat up on Miami until the 4th quarter! GO GATORS!

Remember, if you have any Tim Tebow tips, stories or fan mail you want shared with the rest of the Gator Nation, please contact us and we’ll be glad to post it.

Today’s story comes all the way from Ohio, deep in the heart of Buckeye Country. Most Buckeye fans probably don’t like Tim Tebow for what the Gators did to them in the 2006 National Championship game. But not this young women named Rachel.

As a Buckeye fan, I remember all too well what happened a couple years ago. But it wasn’t all negative, because in that game I discovered a man named Tim Tebow. A person who, unknowingly, has inspired me to continue to stay true to my morals in a world where, it seems, morals are looked down upon now a days. Being a 23 year old female, there are so many pressures on us to be a certain way to be accepted by others and to be considered “cool.” I have not backed down from my religious and moral values and wouldn’t for anybody or any social situation. So I just want to applaud Tim Tebow for being the same way. Knowing that there is at least 1 other person out there whose not willing to follow the practices of so many others is inspiring. I am still a Buckeye but will always root for Tebow to do well in everything he does, including football.

Throughout the football season, we will continue to accept Tim Tebow Stories from fans. If you have something you want to share, please contact us.

We recently received another piece of fan mail, this time from a girl named Anne. This Tim Tebow fan comes to us from Georgia. I wonder what it’s like being a Gator fan in enemy territory. So here’s her message to Timmy, short and sweet

Hi, my name is Anne and I’m a HUGE fan of the Florida Gators!! You are my favorite football player!! I admire you so much because you are a nice Christian who’s not ashamed of it!! I was overjoyed when you won the Heisman, you deserve it!! I hope one day to meet you, but I’ll see you August 30th for the season opener against Hawaii!! Good Luck on the 2008 season and.. GO GATORS!!!

Remember, if you’re a big fan of Tim Tebow and want to share your fan mail or maybe you have a message to/about Tim that you want everyone to read, please contact us and we’ll gladly post it. During the summer months we’re especially looking for Tebow sightings and fan letters.