College football icon Tim Tebow has played in big games in some of the most hostile environments in the country.
However, Tebow has recently taken on a new role. Having hung up his helmet and pads, he has embarked on a career in public speaking and evangelism.
The former Florida Gators quarterback has been heavily involved in the Tim Tebow Foundation since its beginning in 2010. With football aside, heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s focused more on being a vocal leader as he was on the gridiron.
Tebow was the keynote speaker at this yearÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s GameChanger event at The Greenbrier resort. He joins a list of notable keynote speakers at the event, including former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, North Carolina menÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s basketball coach Roy Williams, country music star Brad Paisley and actress Jennifer Garner.
GameChanger, which was championed by former governor Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., was designed to ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œeducate, support and empower young West Virginians to live healthy, drug-free lifestyles while preparing to be our leaders of tomorrow,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ according to its website.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve been [to West Virginia] quite a few times, and every time itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been an awesome visit,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tebow said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt also appeals to me all these beautiful mountains and great golf course (at The Greenbrier). ThereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s just wonderful people here. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m here to support Joe (Boczek) and GameChanger and raise awareness.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s awareness that leads to action, which is important. Ultimately, if we can have more of the youth be empowered, be educated, be coached and be supported, then it helps them feel like they have people to turn to.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The event featured multiple prominent speakers, including former Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe best thing you can do is prevent,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Manchin said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIf you can prevent somebody from being convicted, you can save peopleÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s lives. You can save them and your whole community. It happens everywhere.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
One of the areas Tebow has been the most outspoken about is human trafficking.
According to a study by United NationsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ International Labour Organization, human traffickers victimize an estimated 27.6 million people worldwide.
Seventy-seven percent of victims are forced into labor. Twenty-three percent are victims annually are in sex trafficking.
Tebow and his team are continuing to fight for those affected by trafficking.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMany are heroes of mine [because] of what they have been through and the resiliency and determination of what they have overcome,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tebow said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhy that is so important is because people think that it (happens) across the world and other countries, but itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s not. We are flooded with boys, girls and women that are being trafficked right here in our backyard in all states.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThen, on top of that, child exploitation is rampant. So many lives have infinite value and worth. We need to treat them as such. We need to do anything and everything we can so that they can experience freedom, faith, hope and love so that it can be restored.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Tebow was born in the Philippines before moving to Florida at the age of 3. After playing his high school football at Allen D. Nease High School, he made the short trek to Gainesville to play for the Florida Gators and coach Urban Meyer.
As a freshman, Tebow split time with Gators starting QB Chris Leak. He was named the starter in 2007 and was awarded the Heisman Trophy as the nationÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s top college player. Florida won two national titles during his time there.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI had a lot of pride representing Florida,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tebow said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œPeople always say that itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s more than a game, but what does that really mean? It was my grandfatherÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s, on my momÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s side, dream to see Florida win an SEC championship. He died before that ever happened. So, to see the joy on my grandmaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s face when we won, that was more important than the game. My parentsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ first date was in Jacksonville for the Florida-Georgia game.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
In addition to his public speaking and philanthropy, Tebow is an analyst for ESPN, appearing mostly on the SEC Network.
The former quarterback said he enjoys remaining around the game that transformed him and led him to countless memories.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI love it,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tebow said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI really only do that in the fall on Fridays and Saturdays. I always tell people that I get to do the more important stuff the rest of the week, but I still get to be a part of the game. I get to talk about all these amazing young athletes.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been such a part of my life in so many aspects. It started from my first memories I was bleeding orange and blue while rooting or crying for Florida, like in 1995 to Nebraska and Tommie Frazier.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
College athletics has certainly changed since Tebow last donned the Florida jersey.
The evolution of name, image and likeness and the transfer portal continues to be heavily discussed around college sports.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThere are parts of it that are really exciting,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tebow said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s parts of it that we still have to get figured out. In my personal opinion, I would rather wait to open the transfer portal until after the season ends. Because, if youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re part of a team, you should be part of the team. I know I come with a bias of a focused-on-the-team perspective.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œSometimes when people look at it, it may be a little cloudy and think, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥˜Oh, itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s all bad.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ But itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s not all bad. ThereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s still a lot of amazing stories in young athletes. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s important that we try to keep all of that in perspective.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
