🤷 What’s Next For Tim Tebow?

The Tim Tebow era has come to an end in Jacksonville as he departs the field of play as a guy who truly gave it his all.

View in browser

In today’s FOX Sports Insider with Martin Rogers: The Tim Tebow experiment in Jacksonville has come to a close, but if there is one thing sports fans love, it is someone who polarizes opinion .... we take a look at how Kobe Bryant helped Carmelo Anthony resurrect his NBA career ... and we are treated to a must-see video from the Savannah Bananas. It really didn’t take long at all, just like you knew it wouldn’t. Within minutes of Tim Tebow’s predictable release from the Jacksonville Jaguars, the first memes and posts started up and the momentum kept on rolling from there. Pretty soon there were cartoon jokes and celebrity jokes and religious jokes and WWE jokes and every kind of attempt to raise a chuckle you could think of. Some were funny, some were silly and the never-ending list was interspersed with non-stop clips from last weekend, when Tebow tried to show he could be a tight end in the National Football League and didn’t come anywhere near achieving that. And so the quirky summer experiment ended much like we could have guessed it would, with Tebow cut by the Jaguars and Twitter having an absolute field day with it. To many, Tebow is a punchline. Or an online punchbag. It’s not entirely fair, but that doesn’t stop the jabs from coming in.   On a Tuesday morning, a touch over three weeks out from Week 1 of the NFL season, the freshly-ditched guy from the foot of the depth chart on a team that went 1-15 last year generated more conversation than Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson combined, a fact which would have surprised no one. Such is the curious case of Tebow, a player, like so many others before him, who tried and failed to stick around in the NFL but a crossover personality with a level of fame that matches up with some of the best to ever play the game. Now that it’s over … wait, hang on, we assume it’s over, right? Right, Tim? At the very least, clearly, this is the end of Tebow’s time in the NFL sphere. The footage of his blocking attempts won’t suddenly disappear and no, that tight end thing isn’t going to fly. At 34, he’s not going to resurface as a running back or, welp, a throwback quarterback. If it was anyone else, it would be categorically assumed it is the end of their athletic career entirely, though social media won’t have it, with suggestions and Photoshopped images that he’ll try basketball or rugby or even go for a spot on the United States curling team, forming part of the internet giggle-fest by the time lunchtime on Tuesday had hit. He’s already called it a day in baseball after four seasons with the New York Mets organization, an odd little segue that is somewhat hard to categorize. It felt like a pure marketing ploy by the Mets, except Tebow kept moving up through the minor league system and ended up with a passable batting average of .222 and 18 home runs in a sport he hadn’t played since high school. “I will miss Tebow,” FS1’s Skip Bayless said on "Undisputed." “The firestorm of reaction pro and con, to Tebow - he was the biggest lightning rod I’ve ever encountered and the single most debatable athlete in the history of sports.”   The thing is, Tebow isn’t going to be going away, no matter what. He’s too juicy a talking point for that, and if there is one thing sports fans everywhere adore, it is someone who polarizes opinion. Mark this down, however things shake up with the Jaguars this season, head coach Urban Meyer’s decision to have Tebow along for a decent part of the preseason ride will form part of the chatter. The wisdom or otherwise of that decision is roiling now. Don’t expect it to cease. “I just hate that someone missed an opportunity because Urban gave a friend, a former player of his, an opportunity he didn’t deserve,” Undisputed’s Shannon Sharpe added. “Somebody else deserved that opportunity and didn’t get it.”   It is impossible to even find consensus on how Tebow’s career should be remembered. He won the Heisman Trophy and a national title at Florida, though some will argue his impact on the NFL with the Denver Broncos, the whole Tebow-mania stretch that spawned a dramatic overtime playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, had a level of cultural relevance that can’t be matched. For others, the ceaseless effort to remain in sports, with baseball and even this last hurrah with the Jags, may be the most fascinating part of the tale. Because even Tebow’s firmest critics have to have a grudging respect for his continued attempts to live the dream of being a professional athlete. He knew what would be said about him when he tried baseball, yet did it anyway. He would have been even more acutely aware of the jokes certain to follow his tight end try, but he gave that a go too, probably knowing it was going to take a miracle to land a roster spot. Sure, he got his opportunity by leveraging his fame and his history with the coach. A lot of people would have done the same and the main reason someone wouldn’t is through fear of scorn, something Tebow never concerned himself with. “Thankful for the highs and even the lows, the opportunities and the setbacks,” Tebow tweeted. I’ve never wanted to make decisions out of fear of failure and I’m grateful for the chance to have pursued a dream.”   Should Tebow have realized long ago that the kind of breakthrough to stardom he wanted wasn’t coming and given it up for a full-time television gig? Why? If the chance is there, however slim, why not try? Say what you like about Tebow, he was never frightened to make the attempt, never put off by the harsh words, the scoffing doubters or the mean tweets. Barring a new beginning in curling or dodgeball or lacrosse or whatever, Tebow departs the field of play as a guy who truly gave it every chance. Not everyone can say that, though everyone would like to. The internet humor will keep on coming at Tebow and it’s OK to laugh along with the funny ones, but whatever social media says, the joke’s not on him.   Here’s what others have said ... Colin Cowherd, The Herd: “(Tim) Tebow is not a pro athlete... You can go into any Gold's Gym in America and find a dozen Tim Tebow's. It's over and it should be.” Skip Bayless, Undisputed: “Tim Tebow would have been a good story, but he couldn’t back it up on the field.” Troy Aikman, FOX: “Albeit a short tenure, don’t discount the impact Tim Tebow had in helping Urban Meyer with his locker room culture. And knowing the respect Urban has for Tebow, his release sends a message to team that this is business.” Get Smarter In 5 Minutes Sponsored Content There's a reason over 3 million people start their day with Morning Brew — the daily email that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Unlike traditional news, Morning Brew knows how to keep you informed and entertained for free. Kobe Bryant helped new Los Angeles Laker Carmelo Anthony resurrect his NBA career. FOX Sports NBA Writer Melissa Rohlin has the story. For all her gaudy stats, Carli Loyd will mostly be remembered as a winner. FOX Sports Soccer Writer Doug McIntyre has the story. The rookie QB class had varying results this past weekend. When it comes to grading, Colin Cowherd warns that context is key. Is there a better team name in any sport, at any level, than the Savannah Bananas? The Bananas play in the Coastal Plain League – a summer wood bat league for college baseball players – and they play off their outstanding name with a wild crowd at every home game. The team’s third baseman/catcher, Bill LeRoy, had a viral moment this past weekend that you simply have to see to believe. Check out this video, which shows LeRoy being mic’d up with the broadcast team while playing at third. He tells that broadcast team exactly what we thinks is going to happen on the next play, and sure enough, he is SPOT on! “Gonna roll it over, gonna back hand it on the second hop and Manny Machado under throw to first,” LeRoy says. And yes, that is exactly what happens, to a tee! One word … Incredible! WWE NXT (USA, 8 p.m. ET) Kushida and Roderick Strong are set for an NXT Cruiserweight clash on Tuesday. NBA Summer League Basketball (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET) Davion Mitchell and the Sacramento Kings take on Carsen Edwards and the Boston Celtics in NBA Summer League action. Odds provided by FOX Bet NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Trevor Lawrence: +275 Justin Fields: +500 Trey Lance: +550 We are less than one month away from the start of the 2021 NFL season, which means it’s time to take a look at some updated Offensive Rookie of the Year odds. Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 pick in the draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars, is the favorite to take home the award at +275. Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer has yet to officially name Lawrence as the starting QB, but the chances of him being under center when the Jags take the field in Week 1 against the Houston Texans is highly likely. Justin Fields has the second-best odds at +500 and Trey Lance has the third best at +550. If you’re looking for a player with better odds, take a look at Ja'Marr Chase at +1300. If they can stay healthy, the Cincinnati Bengals should have an explosive offense this season and Chase could be a focal point. He is set to team up with his old LSU teammate Joe Burrow, which could lead to some big offensive numbers! “Whatever avenue I feel like I can make a difference in, I'd love to do.” — Tim Tebow Download FOX Sports App: Also available on these devices: Trademark & Copyright Notice: ™ and © 2021 Fox Media LLC and FOX Sports Interactive Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Please do not reply to this message. If you do not wish to receive emails like this in the future, please unsubscribe. FOX Sports respects your privacy. Click here to view our Privacy Policy. Fox.com Business & Legal Affairs - Manager Digital Media P.O. Box 900 Beverly Hills, California 90213-0900

Plus, Sox-Yanks, Bayern-Dortmund, the Summer League final and 'Hard Knocks.'

View in Web Browser

Watch the Lynx vs. Sun As WNBA Playoff Chase Continues

Kevin Sweeney

Monday was a good night to be a New York sports fan. Gerrit Cole returned to the Yankees and pitched a gem, while the Knicks' two talented rookies Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride continued to shine in Summer League. For the rest of us, it was a quieter evening, but you have a great slate of action to look forward to tonight.

A pair of key WNBA showdowns, rivalry games in soccer and baseball and the finale to a fun NBA Summer League headline a busy Tuesday night in sports. Here's what I'm watching.

MUST WATCH:

Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun

Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports

The game of the night in the WNBA features two of the most dominant frontcourts the league has to offer. The Lynx's duo of Sylvia Fowles and Napheesa Collier combined for 38 points and 21 rebounds in a win over the Liberty on Sunday. Meanwhile the Sun's trio of Jonquel Jones, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones all scored in double figures in a blowout victory over the Wings in Connecticut's first game since the league's restart.

The game is a critical one near the top of the league standings, with Connecticut just a half game behind the Aces and Storm for first place in the league. No team has been more difficult to beat on their home floor than the Sun, who are 8–1 on the season in Uncasville. But the Lynx did knock off the Sun when these teams met for the first time this season in one of the most entertaining games of the year, an overtime win in Minneapolis that also featured a waved-off buzzer beater by Layshia Clarendon.

7 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video

READ MORE:

• Storm Beat Sun in WNBA's First Commissioner's Cup Championship Game (Nick Selbe)
• How Sylvia Fowles Has Remained the Lynx' Stabilizing Force (Ben Pickman)

LINEUP:

• Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees | The Red Sox have dominated the season series of this storied rivalry, but the Yankees have played better baseball lately and are finally getting healthy at the right time. This is a seven-inning game, the second of a day-night doubleheader. 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, watch on fuboTV
• Boston Celtics vs. Sacramento Kings | The championship game of Summer League pits a pair of undefeated teams in Las Vegas. The Celtics' squad has topped 100 points in three consecutive games behind the play of second-year point guard Payton Pritchard. The matchup between Pritchard and elite defender Davion Mitchell should be all kinds of fun. 9 p.m. ET, ESPN, watch on fuboTV
• Washington Mystics at Las Vegas Aces | These two teams met Sunday in a highly entertaining game that saw the 16–6 Aces need a dominant fourth quarter to storm back and knock off a feisty Mystics team. We can only hope the rematch is just as exciting. 10 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network, watch on fuboTV
• Hard Knocks | The second episode of the new season airs tonight, continuing to focus on the Dallas Cowboys. Nothing gets me more pumped for football season than this. 10 p.m. ET, HBO/HBO Max

HIDDEN GEM:

Bayern Munich at Borussia Dortmund

This edition of Der Klassiker comes in the German Supercup. Today's result doesn't have huge implications for the rest of the season (some would consider the Supercup barely more than a friendly), but it's always worth watching when these two storied clubs face off. Plus, it's the first time the two teams will play each other in front of fans since the onset of the pandemic.

The match is probably more important to Bayern, as the team looks to find its form under new manager Julian Nagelsmann. Bayern opened its Bundesliga campaign with a disappointing draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday. Dortmund, meanwhile, looked strong in a 5-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Think we missed something worth watching? Reply to guide@si.com and let us know what we should be looking out for and why

Happy streaming!

Sports Illustrated may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this article. 

Regional restrictions may apply.

To schedule a broadcast or print interview, contact SI at media@maven.io

Privacy Policy | Manage Your Subscriptions

Terms of Use | Customer Service

225 Liberty Street, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10281

© 2021 ABG-SI LLC. All rights reserved.

Don't Ever Touch Max Scherzer's Butt

Dave Roberts learned that the hard way.

Don't Ever Touch Max Scherzer's Butt

The Dodgers' pitcher had harsh words for manager Dave Roberts after butt pat.

Read More »

	Fan on Field Evades Security Long Enough to Take the Mound
"Those nine beers you had, guy, is going to cost you a night in jail."

	Weak Taunting Flag on Colts RB a Preview of Things to Come
Get ready for a lot more of this.

	Fantasy Football Draft Strategies: First Six Picks Drafting 9th to 12th

	No. 19 Penn State Looking to Put Tough Year Behind It

	Can No. 21 LSU Get Back on Track?

	Fantasy Football ADP: Starting Quarterbacks Breakdown

	Galatasaray's Marcão Red Carded for Headbutting, Fighting Teammate

	An Early Look at the 2022 NFL Quarterback Carousel

	Can No. 24 UCF Bounce Back as Malzahn Takes Over?

Privacy Policy | Manage Your Subscriptions Terms of Use | Customer Service 225 Liberty Street, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10281 © 2021 ABG-SI LLC. All rights reserved.