FOUR BITS: Baker, The Bowerman, Tebow, Nike

1 » Former Florida Gators wide receiver Dallas Baker, most recently waived/injured by the NFL‘s Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 6, 2009, has signed on with the Jacksonville Sharks of the newly revamped AFL. The Sharks are one of two new franchises being introduced to the league this year, and Baker joins fellow Gators cornerback Dee Webb on the team. The Sharks are 1-0 already this season with a 54-38 victory over the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz last week.

2 » Each year, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association hands out The Bowerman award which recognizes the most outstanding collegiate men’s and women’s track & field athlete. Three current Florida student-athletes are on The Bowerman’s watch list as of April 7: women’s senior thrower Mariam Kevkhishvili, men’s freshman sprinter Jeff Demps (new addition) and men’s sophomore jumper Christian Taylor. The Gators also boast women’s senior jumper Shara Proctor and women’s junior/senior distance runner Charlotte Browning as honorable mentions at this time. The award will not be handed out until December.

3 » Sourcing NFL.com draft analyst Gil Brandt, Jerry McDoanld of InsideBayArea.com says the Oakland Raiders have a high level of interest in former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. According to Brandt’s story, Tebow was asked by the Raiders’ coaching staff to break down a play. He replied, “This is how it’s called with Florida, this is how it’s called with your organization and this is how it’s called with West coast teams.” Brandt went on to say, “I think that when you get a quarterback and he reacts that quickly, you know that the guy is not only pretty smart, but he does have that mental quickness to adjust very fast.”

4 » Apparel and shoe company Nike has officially announced its partnership with Tebow. Click the link below to read the full press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NIKE BUILDS ON ITS OUTSTANDING FOOTBALL HERITAGE, SIGNS PRO FOOTBALL PROSPECT TEBOW

Former Heisman Trophy-Winning Quarterback Tim Tebow Is Newest Nike Athlete

BEAVERTON, Ore. (April 8, 2010) – Nike today announced a partnership with 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and two-time NCAA BCS Champion-quarterback Tim Tebow. One of the most prolific collegiate quarterbacks in the game, Tebow’s success between the hashmarks and unmatched leadership places him among an elite group of athletes entering the 2010 NFL draft this spring.

Nike plans to utilize Tebow to assist in elevating the training products and tools the company has developed to build championship athletes.

“Tebow’s passion for football along with his determination for excellence on the field make him a valuable addition to the Nike family,” said Bill Kellar, Nike’s Football Category Director. “We look forward to working with Tim as he carries his success to the next level.”

The 6-3, 240-pound Tebow is one of the most successful collegiate quarterbacks of all time. His resume features two national championships (06-07, 08-09) during his four-year tenure at the University of Florida. In his first year as a starter, Tebow broke single-season conference records for both rushing and total touchdowns on his way to becoming the first-ever sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. He’s also the first college football player to rush and pass for twenty or more touchdowns in a season and is only the second player to win back-to-back Maxwell Awards, bestowed on the nation’s top football player.

Boasting a career record of 35-6 as a starter, Tebow’s ability to win on the gridiron coupled with his high character make him a natural addition to Nike’s crop of top football talent.

About Nike
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com .