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Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Tebow Mania reaches new level with cover of Men's Fitness

Want to know 1,095 ways to look and feel better? Or how about ways to get your best body back? Or maybe you yearn to learn the top football body training secrets?

Just ask Tim Tebow about all of the above.

Because, apparently, UF's studly quarterback has all those answers when Men's Fitness magazine hit newsstands on Monday.

Tebow became the first collegiate athlete to ever be put on the cover over the magazine. In other words, you go to school with a celebrity, Gators.

"He's already an icon down in Florida," Men's Fitness editor-in-chief Roy Johnson said. "He's been one since, what, six years old almost? I think America is still discovering Tim Tebow. The country didn't really get to see all of Tim Tebow last year. He has a great opportunity to lead Florida potentially to a national title. If that happens then America will truly see a once-in-a-generation type player and young man that everyone can root for."

And he does it all by thanking God, saying, "Yes, sir and ma'am," and giggling through press conferences.

Johnson admits that no one is perfect, and Tebow would be the first to admit he's not, but his UF teammates struggle to find any fault with their quarterback.

"A lot of people can handle failure, but can you really handle success?" receiver Louis Murphy said. "He handles it perfectly. He doesn't have a prideful bone in his body. I admire him, really. He's a great quarterback. Everybody loves quarterbacks. When you grow up as a kid you want to be a quarterback. And he's a Christian, God-fearing man and a humble man. What else more can you ask for him?"

Apparently to get even better than his 55-touchdown sophomore season. All three of coach Urban Meyer, offensive coordinator Dan Mullen and Tebow himself say he can improve his accuracy, reading defenses and decision making.

However he improves, he looks good doing it. But his physique isn't the only reason Men's Fitness chose him for their cover. He also resonates with the general population in a way very few have.

"At a time when sports is looking for heroes," Johnson said. "There is one right down there in Gainesville that has already been recognized with a Heisman opportunity but still has an opportunity to plant himself on the conscience of the American sports fan in a way that very few athletes have been able to do."

Then when Tebow is asked about the cover he, once again, just giggles and smiles.

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"Doing something different lets me show what I'm doing to a whole new group of people that might not know about Florida," he said. "It's pretty cool because it's a different group of people."

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