So much in football is touching, feeling, walking through, writing it on boards, drawing Xs and Os. And all those are the best for me.
— Tim Tebow
I think my teammates make me look a lot better than I am.
When people meet me, I hope that they say this: 'This is a guy who, number one, loves the Lord, but he also loves people, and he wants to make a difference in people's life. And he wants to help everyone he comes in contact with, and he is genuine, he is real, and he cares about people.'
I don't like to talk hypotheticals. I deal with the real life situations. I treat every day as a blessing.
For me, getting on a knee and praying is a very special deal for me. A very special moment. For me, it was honoring that and not letting people go out there and make a mockery of it and do a lot of different things and just kind of keeping it safe.
There's a lot of things that go into scoring touchdowns and leading your team. It's not just the game itself, but going back and studying tape to pick apart everything I did. It's nice to have something to go on, doing it full speed in a game situation.
You just go out and compete and try to earn whatever you can. I'm looking to get better every single day I set foot on this field.
I definitely, definitely want a family.
I worry about what I can control, and that's come out and improve every day, enjoy the process, count your blessings, and work extremely hard.
When you try to be a role model, not everybody can relate to some of your highs - awards, championships. But everybody can relate to the lows. Everybody's gotten fired from a job or gotten cut. People learn more about you in those lows than they do in the highs.
I've been blessed to have an amazing mom and two amazing sisters - so they set a very high standard.
I want to improve as a football player, but even more importantly, I really want to improve as a person.
I try to be active and to keep my body in the best shape I can possibly be in.
What's amazing when you get up and do something is what God does in your life. We just have to get up and do something.
People have to realize that just because you're a Christian, it doesn't mean that you're perfect, because every once in a while everyone stumbles. Living by faith is about when you do mess up, getting back up, brushing yourself off, and keep trying to improve where you mess up or where you have temptation.
I want to help kids when I'm no longer here, when I'm dead and gone. I want to help kids when I don't have the energy and the time to help them but somehow still find a way to make a difference.
I hope that when I'm 90 years old, I've accomplished a legacy that isn't all about me. I hope it's a legacy about the people who our foundation helps.
I'm not somebody that opens a playbook and just turns and reads and reads. That doesn't do it for me.
If you believe, unbelievable things can sometimes be possible.
What's so amazing in today's society is people look up to football players. And as a football player, you have a platform. And it's so much more important than any touchdown or trophy or anything you could win with football. Its taking that platform and be able to influence people.
I love talking football, and I love being around it.
I want to support kids that not a lot of people believe in. Give them an opportunity to do good in school, play sports and get scholarships.
In the NFL, you know how people love going to fancy restaurants? I am not a fancy-restaurant guy. I am a good-tasting steak-and-potatoes guy.
I think sometimes when things are taken away, then you don't realize how much fun it is to come out here and play this game. You can't play it forever, so I'm going to enjoy it.
I think number one is what my mom and dad preached to me when I was a little kid: Just because you may have athletic ability and you may be able to play a sport doesn't make you any more special than anybody else. Doesn't mean God loves you more than anybody else.
When we talk about having a life of significance and meaning, it's not about fame or money or resources. It's about people and lives and hearts. That's my biggest passion in life.
When we win, I'm excited about winning. That way, I get the ups and downs of a football season. But I also know that it's never as good as it seems; it's never as bad as seems. You always have to stay focused because you never know, for me. My role, it could expand. So you just got to always be ready.
For me, life isn't about being recognized or having everyone know who I am. That's not why I'm here. To me, my foundation is the most important thing I do or have ever done. That's what my life is about.
When I have a family someday, I'll probably adopt. Adoption has always been something close to my heart. There are so many kids out there who really need a family.
I train about six days a week. I'm training at the same intensity as I did when I was playing football. I've done it for my entire life, and I love it.
When your identity is found in Christ, your identity never changes. You are always a child of God.
I try to be as real and honest about everything and very genuine with people and say, 'Listen, I'm a Christian, and I'm not perfect. I screw up every day, but I think that's what grace is all about.'
I've always been attracted to girls whose hearts are the biggest thing about them. People can be very sweet and kind to others who can do a lot for them. I want to find a girl who will be the same person to those who can't do anything for her in return.
Of course I want to look nice and have a good appearance, but more than the outer shell, I want people to want to be around me for my heart.
You need to have something to motivate you, something to give you an edge.
I had the opportunity to go into the hospitals and talk to kids and see a kid and make him smile. Why? Because I'm a special person? No. It had nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with me being the quarterback at the University of Florida. And to not take advantage of that is a shame.
I knew I loved football before I even played it. Uh, but the first time I stepped out on the field playing for the Lakeshore Redskins, I knew that I loved this game. I knew that this was something I wanted to do. And I was only 6 years old, but I loved it.
First and foremost is what this country was based on: one nation under God.
My integrity means more to me than any fame or money. When I say something, I want people to take it to the bank that I mean it and believe in it.
It's hard to create new friendships outside sports.
There are a lot of goals and ambitions that I have in life, things I want to accomplish. Who knows? I mean - it could be politics one day. I want to have a life that can help people.
Something I always try to practice is be anxious for nothing, but let your request be known to God.
I think it's also important for people to really see that your identity doesn't come just from what you do but who you are. My relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing to me. Because of that, I don't have to change whether I am one of the most popular guys in football.
Being attracted to someone plays a big part, but there's also so much more than that for me. It's about finding someone sweet and kind - and that has a servant's heart.
I believe that everyone, regardless of who they are, should do something that is greater than themselves. Whether it's adoption, or helping people who are sick or poor, or whatever. That's what God put us on this earth to do.
Being physically fit helps me think better and feel better. I only have this one body. I want to make the most impact that I can; taking care of my body helps me help others. That's a big reason why I do it.
I'm not always the best at picking out what goes together. I always want to be presentable, but more than that, I want to be different. I've never just wanted to follow the crowd. I think that goes back to when I was a boy. If everyone was doing one thing, I'd do something different.
At the end of the day, everything is God's plan, and he cares about what we do. He cares about our hearts, how we play the game, and how we treat people. He's definitely involved with how we handle sports and not just the outcome of it. I'm proud when athletes mention God in any way.
I pray to start my day and finish it in prayer. I'm just thankful for everything, all the blessings in my life, trying to stay that way. I think that's the best way to start your day and finish your day. It keeps everything in perspective.
Being able to score touchdowns and win games is a way to get a platform. But, ultimately, if that's what you do in your life, and that's what your life is based on, I don't know - I feel like that's a little bit of a meaningless life.
