Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow Puts the Spotlight on the Homeschool Movement and His Faith

Don't ever tell fans of Tim Tebow that someone educated through home schooling can't become a huge success. Tim Tebow received home schooling from Christian missionary parents, and while he may have received a good education and learned a great deal about his faith, he had to overcome obstacles to play big time college football and become the first sophomore to win a Heisman Trophy. Tebow also led the Florida Gators to a win in the national championship college football game against Ohio State in 2007.

All through his life Tebow overcame obstacles before becoming so successful. He was born in 1987 to Bob and Pam Tebow, missionaries to the Philippines. Before Pam gave birth in the couple's adopted country, doctors diagnosed her as having a pathogenic amoeba and recommended she have an abortion.

The parents rejected the doctors' suggestions. As was the case with all his brothers and sisters, Tim Tebow was homeschooled. Besides learning academics, he was also taught faith in the fundamentals of the Christian faith, including a faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son, Jesus, Whom Christians believed died on the cross and rose again to give a home in heaven to those who trust Him.

A law that was passed in 1996 in Florida that allowed homeschooled students to play on the team in the local district in which they live benefited Tim Tebow. He played tight end and linebacker for Trinity Christian Academy for one season. He wanted to pass, however, and the school did not emphasize passing. He then went to Nease High School, which was known for its passing. His parents moved to an apartment in a county near to the school, so he could play there.

There were critics of Tim Tebow playing for Nease High School, however, because of his homeschooling. Tebow let his performance speak for itself, however, as he was named Florida Player of the Year in his junior and senior seasons and led his Panthers to a state title his senior year. For his high school career, Tebow had 9,810 yards passing, 3,186 yards rushing, had 95 passing touchdowns and 62 rushing touchdowns. He was chosen as Florida's Mr. Football and was also named a Parade All American. He also played, along with the other 77 top senior players in the country, in the US Army All American Bowl Game in San Antonio, Texas.

True to his own Christian faith, Tim Tebow assisted his parents for the last three summers before he entered college. He was recruited by Alabama and Florida, but chose the Gators because the offense there was suited for his passing style.

He went to Florida in 2006 and began very quickly to be known for both his passing and running. He finished the season with the second most yards rushing of any Gator. In the BCS Championship football game in January of 2007, he rushed for one touchdown and threw for another, as the underdog Gators defeated the previously undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes. He finished with 39 yards rushing. In the following season, 2007, he threw 217 completions in 317 attempts, for 3,132 yards, with 29 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, for a 177.8 passing efficiency rating-the second highest in the nation. He also added 838 yards rushing in 194 attempts, along with 22 touchdowns.

Tim Tebow won the Heisman trophy as a sophomore on December 8, 2007, getting more votes than Arkansas star Darren McFadden, and other notables. The rushing touchdowns he had in 2007 are the most ever for any SEC player at any position.

Tim Tebow, the dedicated Christian, has had a huge effect on not only Florida Gators football, but also the homeschooling movement across the country. He and Jason Taylor, a defensive end for the Miami Dolphins have both been featured in the media, and have been used as examples of why homeschooled athletes should get to play on local high school teams. Tebow is the first homeschooled athlete ever to win the Heisman Trophy. The pressure to allow access to homeschooled athletes has spread nationwide. Taylor played in Pennsylvania in high school. A bill is pending in Alabama that would allow homeschooled athletes to play for their local high school, the bill as been named the "Tim Tebow bill."

Some fans of rival school teams, like Auburn fans have praised Tim Tebow for putting the spotlight on the homeschool movement. They point out that they did not have the opportunities in sports when they were homeschooled that athletes do now, and they give much of the credit to Tebow. They also point out that more and more states are allowing homeschooled athletes to compete on local teams. Despite all of his success, Tebow ranks sports as fourth on his list of priorities-behind his faith, family, and academics.