NFL quarterback Tim Tebow helped raise money for the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama with "An Evening with Tim Tebow" event March 16. The Denver Broncos starter answered questions about his time at the University of Florida and his Christian faith. (Natalie Wade, al.com)MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- More than 2,300 people showed up to hear Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow answer questions tonight at the Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center.
"An Evening
with Tim Tebow" was sponsored by Baptist Health and benefited the Cancer
Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama.
Tebow, whose job may be in danger if Peyton Manning decides to join the Broncos, answered a variety of questions from WSFA sports anchor Jeff Shearer, but the topic was never far from his glory days at the University of Florida and his faith-based foundation and mission trips.
"I thought it was great," said Chad Singletary, who came with his wife Terri. "We have kids and I think it's a very good Christian leadership message for our young people."
He talked about the decision to commit to Florida, and how it came down to the very last second. While at Florida he became friends with head coach Urban Meyer, and he shared a little bit about that relationship and what it meant to him.
In one anecdote, he talked about how the motto for the team his junior year was to finish strong and an interaction between him and Meyer after the game-winning touchdown in the National Championship game against Oklahoma was one of the best moments of his life.
"I was coming off to the sidelines, and I undid my helmet and I was taking it off and I saw Coach Meyer. He's usually very passionate, very excited but he looked very sober at this moment. I just remember him walking up to me with his arms open wide and he pulls off his headsets and he just gives me a hug. And he gets emotional and he's squeezing me and he says, 'Timmy, I love you so much. I'm so proud of you. You finished strong.' And I remember how that made me feel as an athlete, as someone who looked up to a father figure. And for me that was one of the best moments – probably the best moment – in my athletic career and one of the best moments of my life," Tebow said.
The Heisman-winning quarterback was known for his open Christian faith during his time at Florida and now the world has latched on to the Tebowing phenomenon. The phrase was coined to describe Tebow's frequent dropping to one knee in prayer after big plays.
Tebow now has fans, even those from the state of Alabama who probably had reason not to cheer him on during his college days.
Matt Dean, an audience member, said he wasn't a Florida Gators fan, but more of a Tim Tebow fan.
"Number one, it started with his talent," Dean said. "I felt like he was pretty much what I expected of him, he had a really positive message."
Tebow, who cut his appearance fee by 40 percent for the event, was given a proclamation from Gov. Robert Bentley that named March 16 Tim Tebow Day, and Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange gave him a key to the city.
Following Tebow's chat there was an auction. The total amount raised from the fundraiser has not been tallied, but tickets to the sold-out event started at $100 with VIP tickets going for $400.
The Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama provides support and educational services for cancer patients and their families in a 33-county area.
"I think it's a great organization. I just see the benefit that they provide to a lot of our patients, so I get to witness that first hand," said Terri Singletary, a chemotherapy nurse in Montgomery.