Florida, Tebow opt out of Playboy nomination
Tim Tebow will not be among the players on the Playboy Preseason All-America team after Florida officials decided not to nominate the junior quarterback because of his religious convictions.
When the nomination requests came this past spring, Florida assistant sports information director Zack Higbee decided against nominating Tebow. He told Tebow of his decision months later, and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner approved. Tebow is a Christian who is actively involved in missionary work.
The decision follows a similar one taken by former Gator and Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, who also declined to be a part of the team in 1996, because of his religious convictions.
West Virginia's Pat White is the quarterback for the 2008 team. Playboy senior vice president and director of photography Gary Cole, said he was leaning toward White before Florida's decision, and there are no hard feelings.
"It was the decision of the University of Florida not to nominate him to the prestigious 52-year old Playboy All-America tradition.'' Cole told the Times. "I can only guess at their reasons but I know that Tim is a deeply religious young man and perhaps would be uncomfortable accepting an invitation from Playboy. I’m a fairly religious man myself, but I have no problem working and writing for Playboy. It becomes a matter of individual choice. In any case, Pat White from West Virginia was my early choice for the team at quarterback. Tim will be around a few more college seasons. We’ll have other chances to select him and he can make his decision then about whether or not to attend our weekend.''
Cole said one out of approximately every 50 athletes turns down an offer to be a part of the team.
Tebow has photo shoots scheduled this week with Sporting News and Sports Illustrated.
If you bleed orange and blue, this blog is for you. The Gator Report is written by Florida beatwriter Antonya English and the staff of the St. Petersburg Times. We invite your comments and participation.
That's right Pat White is a returning Heisman trophy winnner, so it makes perfect sense...no wait, Tebow won it, never mind. Puuuuhleese, Pat White? Give me a break. Playboy needs to stick with what it does best.
Posted by: CEW | July 21, 2008 at 07:45 PM
JEALOUS IS WHAT JEALOUS DOES!!
Posted by: TIM TEBOW | July 22, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Cut me a break- go gloss over your pictures CEW. Or maybe those pictures have stains. Brush up on your football and not up against------ your magazine
Posted by: | July 22, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Being a long time Seminole (class of 76) and a longer Christian I am very proud of Tim Tebow's stand here. I may want him to loose one game a year, but I want him to play well in that game even so.
Posted by: Jim Perillo | July 22, 2008 at 10:51 PM
The NFL needs more players like Tebow. He is a great example to young, old, and up and coming players. These days, its the guys that make the bad decisions that the news pays all the attention to, which makes really hurts the NFL. Most guys would probably think Tebow is an idiot for turning this Playboy down, but it takes real guts to stick to your morals and foundation. Not a Florida fan, but GO TEBOW!!
Posted by: Hugh Nguyen | July 22, 2008 at 11:37 PM
I fully agree with what Tim Tebow did. As a Christian I find it very refreshing to see someone putting there beliefs in to action. It would have been alot easier,probably for him to have just gone along with it and not said anything. Good for you Tim!
Posted by: acook | July 22, 2008 at 11:38 PM
This award would have included a trip to see some of the most beautiful women god has created. Tebow should except this pilgramage to heaven on earth based upon his faith alone :) Tim, sometimes you're just too good for your own good.
Posted by: Crazy Eddie | July 23, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Li'l Timmy is a model citizen and has NEVER sinned in his life.
PS)Once you been to GAINESVILLE there aint no need to see no stinkin' playboy HEDONS
Posted by: Hugh G. Rekshun | July 23, 2008 at 09:58 AM
As a Christian I am an even bigger fan of Tim Tebow for this decision. Carolina Gamecocks are my team, but I have been a fan of Tebow's since reading of his religious convictions, even when they play Carolina. It is great to see such a GREAT athelete have his Christianity come first. What an example for us all. Hope he wins the Heisman again this year and the next.
Posted by: Gwen | July 23, 2008 at 10:43 AM
As a Hindu, I appreciate Tim's decision. It would be great if there were more guys like him in the NFL--those who stand up for their convictions and not what society has succumbed to. I'm a Georgia Tech fan and I hate Georgia as much as a Florida fan, so go Tebow
Posted by: Pratik | July 23, 2008 at 09:23 PM
P.S. Crazy Eddie, God has not created the beautiful women of playboy; plastic surgery has.
Posted by: Joe | July 23, 2008 at 09:24 PM