Tebow Plays Teeball

Tim Tebow brings magic to Memphis
By Ron Higgins/commercialappeal.com

Memphis-based Jimmy Sexton figured he had a foolproof post-NFL draft plan for Tim Tebow, his newest client.

He wanted to find an incognito locale for Tebow, the University of Florida's iconic quarterback and first-round draft choice of the Denver Broncos, to work out away from the glare of the media and out of reach from adoring fans and autograph hounds.

"He couldn't do it in Florida," Sexton said. "I went out with him in Gainesville in January, and we had to drive 20 minutes outside of town to a little hole-in-the-wall place so he could eat."

Tebow couldn't do it in Denver, where on the first day of the Broncos' mini-camp on April 30, five days after the draft, there were 32 rookies and 47 media members, the latter to eyeball Tebow.

Sexton thought the sleepy solitude of Memphis would provide Tebow with the necessary witness-protection atmosphere. The plan was simple -- Tebow would live with Sexton for two weeks, and work out every day at local private high schools like Memphis University School, Christian Brothers and Briarcrest.

"It was the craziest thing I've ever seen," Sexton said as word of mouth spread about the Tebow sightings. "I've never had a family knock on my door at 2 in the afternoon, asking me if Tim Tebow was staying in my house. I never had phone calls from so many parents with available 21-year-old daughters wanting to meet Tim. They all know he's that good a guy and that good a player, and he has a hard time saying 'No.' "

That's why with everyone wanting a piece of the Tebow magic, it was a relief for him to work out in Memphis, throwing to mostly high school receivers and putting in four- to five-hour workouts.

He also got a chance to take batting practice with the MUS baseball team and hit 12 of 15 pitches out of the park.

"The kids were just awed by how far he hit the ball," Sexton said. "The best thing about Tim is he thinks he's just another guy and acts that way. He's oblivious to everything going on around him. He doesn't think he's a big deal. I asked him the other day how he stayed so humble, how come he didn't get the big head compared to a lot of other athletes."

So Tim Tebow can jack a homerun too. Isn't that just wonderful. I can't throw a ball more than 20 yards, bench half my weight or ride a bike and Tim Tebow can walk onto a baseball field and hit 12 of 15 balls out of the park. But at least I've had sex more times than he has. Just wait until he busts his cherry. Then he'll put me to shame at that too.