He's Coming Back!

I almost forgot that the Gator's National Championship celebration was on television on Saturday, but luckily I turned on the tube just in time. I was able to watch the Pouncey twins get the crowd going while also coaxing Major Wright to drop it like it was hot on stage. I then saw Carlos Dunlap accept the National Championship game's Defensive Player of the Game Award. Lawrence Wright ('96) even spent some time leading the Swamp's crowd in a remix edition of a well known nursery rhyme. The shocker of the day occurred when Tim Tebow decided to speak. He started off his speech by thanking the whole team, the fans, the coaching staff, and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, just like he does every time he is handed a microphone. As he started to speak I turned to Lauren and said how crazy it would be if he nonchalantly stated that he was going to be coming back for the 2009 season. No more than 2 minutes later Tebow finished his speech and started walking off the stage. Right when the crowd stopped clapping he turned around, took a few steps back to the center of the stage and enthusiastically proclaimed, "One more thing. Let's do it again. I'm coming back"! The 40,000 fans started screaming and through the television speakers they sounded like the usual 90,000 plus fans that go crazy every time he lowers his shoulder and runs over an opposing defense's linebacker. Erin Andrews, ESPN, reported that when Tebow told Urban Meyer about his decision earlier that day, it brought Meyer to tears. He said that he wanted to finish what he started and also wanted to stay loyal to the University. Tebow was also told by his NFL contacts that he would have the chance to be a quarterback in the NFL if he stayed for his senior year and worked on his fundamentals. They praised him for his leadership ability and toughness.

I have been going to Gator football games for 21 straight years. I have seen some amazing players take the field at the Swamp including: Danny Wuerffel, Jacques Green, Lawrence Wright, Fred Weary, Shane Matthews, James Bates, Eric Rhett, and Emmitt Smith, just to name a few. There are also a countless number of other professional athletes that attended the University of Florida while participating in sports other than football. When Tim Tebow leaves the University of Florida after next season he will leave as the "Greatest Gator of all time". That is insane to think about, but he has more than earned that title. As of now, Tebow is considered one of the top 25 best college football players of all time. There are a number of players in history that played both sides of the ball, but I would guess that Tebow is in the top 15 of the best offensive college football players of all time. In 2009 Tebow will have a chance to become only the second player in history to win two Heisman Trophies (Archie Griffin- '74, '75). He will also have the chance to win a 3rd National Championship in 4 years which is unheard of in present day college football. There are only two players in NCAA history to have both a Heisman Trophy and three National Championships.

We are still waiting to hear from Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes in regards to their decisions about entering the NFL draft. In my opinion, they will both be on their way to the NFL. Harvin is one of the most dynamic offensive weapons I have ever seen and Spikes strikes fear in offenses across the country the second he lines up on the field. Harvin's draft status right now is probably as high as it can get. Another year of college football would only increase his chance of injury and with the current status of his foot he probably will not be willing to take that chance. If Spikes comes back Florida's defensive would return all 11 starters. The 2008 Florida Gator football team was the youngest team in the history of college football to win a National Championship. That being said, they are going to be ready to do it again next year. Florida is sitting atop the preseason rankings for the 2009 season on rivals.com, just ahead of the Texas Longhorns and USC Trojans. They have a very favorable schedule this year and I am looking forward to September. Go Gators!