by Charles Asbury

Created on: January 09, 2009   Last Updated: January 13, 2009

The Legend of Tim Tebow

Someday his story will be told around camp fires. It will be a story relished as a tailgate treat. Passed from one generation to the next. A father will tell his kid about "The Legend" named Tim Tebow. Players like him are diamonds in the ruff, and we might never see another college football player like him in our lifetime.

Just a kid, fresh out of high school, he almost elected to attend the University of Alabama. As fate would have it, he chose instead to become a Florida Gator. That would turn out to be just one chapter, in a story called "The Legend." Let's take a brief look at the beginnings of "The Legend."

Tim Tebow was born on August 14, 1987 in the Philippines to Bob and Pam Tebow, who were serving as Christian missionaries. During her pregnancy, pam suffered infection with a pathogenic amoeba, and an abortion was recommended by her doctors. Fortunately, Pam chose not to have the abortion, young Timmy was born, and so was "The Legend."

All of the Tebow children were homeschooled by their mother. She worked diligently to instill the family's deep Christian beliefs along the way. Tim wanted to play sports, but couldn't participate because he was home schooled. As fate would have it, In 1996, legislation was passed in Florida allowing homeschooled students to compete in local high school sporting events. The law specified that homeschooled students could participate on the team of the local school in the district where they live. Like the parting of the Red Sea, this access opened up yet another way for "The Legend."

The Tebows lived in Jacksonville, Florida. In the beginning, Because of his size, Tim played linebacker and tight end at the local Trinity Christian Academy for one season. But Tebow's preferred position was quarterback. Trinity's offense did not rely on passing the football, so Tim began exploring other options. The option he finally chose, was to play for Nease High School. Nease's head coach, Craig Howard, was operating an offense known for passing the ball. This set up, was a perfect match for God's plan.

Leaving the rest of the family on a farm in Duval County, Tim's mother moved herself, and her son to an apartment in St. Johns County, making Tim eligible to play for Nease. Once again, miracles things were happening, in the life of Tim Tebow.

His performance on the field would soon get some major attention, but would also start a serious controversy instigated by jealous opponents. The issue surrounded his eligiblity to play for any team he wanted, even while being homeschooled. One thing is for sure, Tim Tebow would change the football world, and we would all behold, the makings of "The Legend."

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