Patriots Release Tebow

Tim Tebow, the former University of Florida football standout and unprecedented sophomore year Heisman Trophy winner, has been released by the New England Patriots.  This should come as no surprise to anyone, including Tebow.  He stated after his last pre-season game that he “did not think he had done enough to stick.”

Tebow in action at the height of his career as a Denver Bronco in post sean play.    

Although selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft, Tebow’s success as a professional has been questionable at best.  He demonstrated promise in his rookie year when he started the last four games of the season.  The following year he seemed to come into his own as he secured his position as the Broncos field general. 

Tebow's biblical eye black quotes.   

Mark Seliger

In his college career, Tebow was known to have biblical verses written in his eye black.  During his first two seasons as a pro, his tendency to drop to one knee and pray garnered the phrase “Tebowing.”  Many a sports reporter jokingly suggested Tebow had God on his side.  It was never truly determined if the commentary about “Tebowing” was meant to be supportive or condemning in nature.

Whether God was on Tebow’s side or not, it was obvious John Elway and the Bronco organization weren't.  Tebow was traded to the New York Jets during the off-season when the Broncos picked up free agent Peyton Manning.

During the 2012 season, Tebow found himself in New York exchanging snaps with Jet’s Quarterback Marc Sanchez.  After a lack luster season with the Jets, in which he only threw 8 passes and ran 32 times, he was released in April 2013.

In June 2013, on the day before the team’s mandatory mini-camp, Tebow signed a two year contract with the New England Patriots organization.  The contract specified no guaranteed salary but did imply playing time requirements.

The Patriots, who firmly support the leadership and play of Quarterback Tom Brady, typically only field one back-up.  Tebow’s retention was greatly dependent upon stellar pre-season performances.   Sadly, his pre-season play was less than memorable.  

In early games against the Eagles and Buccaneers, Tebow completed a total of only 5 passes, was sacked multiple times, and was intercepted once.  His performance did not improve significantly in later pre-season games.

On August 31, 2013, the day of the league’s mandatory requirement to cut teams to 53 players, the Patriots elected to cut and release Tim Tebow.

With a professional career of less than 4 seasons, the future of this one time standout and football phenomenon is deemed questionable.  It is extremely rare to see such a lauded talent fall so short of the expected potential.

Questions still remain. Will Tim Tebow ever again rise to the heights of football notoriety? Are his professional football playing days over?  Only God knows for certain.