You would think that after a one-of-a-kind, legendary college career, winning two National Championships and a Heisman, that you would be destined for NFL greatness. Well, that wasn’t exactly the case for Florida Gators’ great Tim Tebow. The guy who wore eye-black with “John 3:16” written on it couldn’t seem to find the right fit for himself in the big leagues.
Although his professional career wasn’t anything to write home about, he did have one magical moment fourteen years ago! In the brisk, mile-high air, he connected to receiver Demaryius Thomas for an 80-yard score to send the Pittsburgh Steelers home, ending their Super Bowl dreams.
In Tebow We Trust
Entering Week 6 of the 2011 season, the Denver Broncos were beginning to plan their offseason vacations. The team was a dreaded 1-4 heading into the Bye Week. After three straight losses and probably a talk with God, John Fox decided to pull quarterback Kyle Orton for their previous year’s first-round draft pick.
Tim Tebow took control under center. It may not have always been pretty, but the Gator legend would find a way to win! The team rallied behind number fifteen, finishing 7-4. Luckily for the Broncos, the AFC West spent a lot of time trading wins and losses, beating each other down. Three of the four teams finished with 8-8 records, with only the Kansas City Chiefs one game behind.
Denver, led by Tebow, owned the tiebreakers, resulting in a division title and the opportunity to host a playoff game on Wildcard weekend. They would have their hands full, as the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers and two-time Super Bowl winner Ben Roethlisberger came to town.
Touchdown Tebow!
What a game it was! It was back-and-forth as the Steelers’ defense came to play. Pittsburgh had the early lead as they entered the second quarter with a 6-0 lead. Tebow and company would then have an offensive explosion, scoring twenty points in that quarter alone. Starting with a thirty-yard touchdown reception to Eddie Royal, then an eight-yard touchdown run by Timmy himself, and with kicker Matt Prater capping the first half off with two field goals.
The Broncos would go into the half with a 20-6 lead over the favored Steelers, but Pittsburgh would not go down lightly. The black and yellow from the Steel City would come roaring back with a Mike Wallace third-quarter touchdown run. Then, with about four minutes remaining in the game, Jericho Cotchery would score on a 31-yard pass from Big Ben!
The score was tied at 23. Someone dialed up Buffalo Wild Wings to send the AFC Wildcard game into overtime (if you remember those commercials). With the season on the line, fans were excited for sudden death. The Broncos won the toss, electing to receive the ball to try to send their fans home happy.
After most likely a sideline prayer, Tebow and the offense took the field. Receiving the snap, he dropped back and quickly threw a slant over the middle of the field. Receiver Demaryius Thomas, like a thief in the night, turned on the jets. As he ran up the sideline with over 75 thousand people screaming, he would score the 80-yard game-winning touchdown to send the Steelers to the offseason.
Final Thoughts
It is crazy to think that one of the greatest college football players of all time, Tim Tebow, didn’t get much of a chance to start at quarterback in the NFL. Despite having an 8-6 record as a starter (two losses as a Jet, so does that really count?), his NFL career was short-lived. It wasn’t always pretty, but the guy was a winner and great for any locker room. It’s just wild that this would become the highlight of his career, making a 10-year-old Lawson cry as his team was sent home by the real “Touchdown Jesus!”
