Tim Tebow passes on New York to stay with family

It took former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow over a month to decide whether or not he would attend the 2010 NFL Draft in person at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY. In the end, the answer was a simple “thanks but no thanks,” as the signal caller chose to return home to Jacksonville, FL, for a gathering with family, friends, his agent Jimmy Sexton and head coach Urban Meyer.

The motivating factor in Tebow’s decision was not potential embarrassment of being drafted late but rather his desire to remain with those closest to him during one of the most important processes of his life.

“That’s such a moment that will be exciting and special, so I don’t want to just celebrate that with people that I don’t really know and haven’t really been around just to be there in New York,” Tebow told OGGOA on March 27. “I want to be around my close friends and my family. So if that’s something we can work out or not, I’ll probably be with my family. I think it’s also just figuring out what’s with my schedule and everything. But then also just being around my family and figuring out what would be fun and what would be the easiest, most relaxed, comfortable spot.”

Tebow was already in New York for a promotional appearance with EA Sports (he is featured on the cover of the NCAA Football 11 video game) but chose not to stay.

Florida cornerback Joe Haden will be the sole player representing the school in New York and one of 24 former student-athletes who will be in attendance.