Tim Tebow is the type of guy who gets what he wants.
NFL quarterback? Sure, why not? TV analyst? Pick a network. Baseball player? The Mets would be happy to oblige.
But that doesn’t fly with Bill Belichick.
Back in 2013, after being traded away from the Broncos and spending a season with the New York Jets, Tebow signed a two-year deal with the New England Patriots. During the offseason, the former Heisman Trophy winner was offered $1 million to take part in a one-day commercial shoot.
But, being the team player that he was, he made sure to give Mr. Hoodie a call, to make sure it’d be A-OK.
I’ll give you one guess what Belichick’s response was …
“So when the offer for the one-day commercial turned up, I was sure to discuss the opportunity with him (Belichick). ‘I want to know what you think, Coach,’ I said. ‘I respect you and I want to fit in. I want to be one of the guys. Should I do it?’
“He thought for a moment and then shook his head. ‘Timmy, I would really appreciate it if you didn’t.’
“Highly respecting the man, I turned down the deal. I didn’t even think twice about it. I wanted the chance to impress Coach Belichick more than I wanted the money. I’ll say that if I were on any other team, I would have probably said yes to the offer. But the thoughts he offered in our initial conversation mattered to me — even more than a million dollars.”
(from Tim Tebow’s new book, Shaken)
Not long after, Tebow was cut by Belichick and the Patriots.
While appearing on Fox and Friends, Tebow said he doesn’t regret his decision to turn down $1 million.
“And that’s not something that I look back and regret at all,” Tebow said. It was me trying to honor the team, and if I could do it again, I would’ve done the same thing.”
Well, that’s why you’re one of a kind, Timmy.