Tim Tebow’sbaseballtryout drew more than 40 scouts, according to his agent, and onlookers commented that the former football star — who is attempting to play right field for the first time since high school — looked both impressive and awkward during his workout at USC. Former Eagles teammates voiced nothing but support Tuesday ahead of Tebow’s tryout.
“I didn’t know he had played his junior year of high school,” Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews said, admitting to reporters he had learned about Tebow’s latest endeavor on ESPN that morning.”I’ll tell you what, he’s a man of faith so he believes in himself. No one can tell him he can’t do that. When Tebow was here, I loved it. More power to him. I hope he makes the team.” During his tryout, onlookers on Twitter reported that he ran close to a 6.6-second 60-yard dash and showed an above average arm (no surprise there — he won a Heisman Trophy and two titles at the University of Florida). In high school, Tebow hit .494 and was an All-Coast team member as a junior, but did not play as a senior to focus on football. More than 10 years later, can Tebow get his swing back?
“I think if there’s one thing Tim Tebow for sure has it’s a tremendous work ethic, a tremendous desire and a tremendous competitive nature.That was quickly evident when he was here with the Philadelphia Eagles,” Jason Kelce said — a knowledgeable Tebow critic as the Eagles’ starting center. “He was the first guy in the building an the last guy to leave. He puts a lot of time into being the best at his craft that he can. It didn’t work out here for various reasons but I have nothing but respect for the guy and I wish him nothing but great things.” “I think we will see,” another player on the Eagles offense, Trey Burton said.”I’ve never seen him hit.I’ve never seen him throw or do any of that stuff. To play major league baseball you have to know what you’re doing. I wish him the best.” ESPN’s Jerry Crasnik, who was on site in L.A. Tuesday tweeted:
Tim Tebow’s batting practice. The last ball went over the Dedeaux Field scoreboard into… https://t.co/o7duji6I9H pic.twitter.com/A5J9DtwNFQ
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) August 30, 2016
Many have spoken out, like Phillies pitcher David Hernandez, against Tebowmaking a joke of the sport that Hernandez and other professional baseball players have spent a lifetime dedicated to.
But to Matthews, who always looks at life through a lens of optimism, there’s no reason why Tebow can’t try and start a second career.
“Why not?” the wide receiver said smiling. “You have one life, go do it. Look at him, he’s jacked. I would do it, too.”
