Tim Tebow has taken a lot of slings and arrows as one of the most high-profile Christians in the country.
He’s beaten back the criticism and forged a successful career after football.
But Tebow made one announcement that stunned all his fans.
Tim Tebow’s career in the NFL was short-lived, but he rebounded pursuing a career in professional baseball, a sport he hadn’t played competitively since high school.
Through hard work and perseverance, Tebow reached the Triple A affiliate for the New York Mets and had an outside shot of eventually making it to Major League Baseball.
But Tebow just announced that he is retiring from baseball to pursue other life goals.
Tebow said in a statement:
“I want to thank the Mets, [Mets team President Sandy Alderson], the fans and all my teammates for the chance to be a part of such a great organization…I loved every minute of the journey, but at this time I feel called in other directions. I never want to be partially in on anything. I always want to be 100 percent in on whatever I choose. Thank you again for everyone’s support of this awesome journey in baseball, I’ll always cherish my time as a Met. #LGM.”
At 33 years old, Tebow’s window of making it to the MLB was shrinking and he was competing for spots with younger and more developed prospects.
Tebow is also busy with other projects: he participates on football show panels, produces television shows and movies, and serves as a passionate voice for Christianity and the pro-life movement.
With devout Christians increasingly coming under attack, it helps to have a prominent voice willing to speak out.
Mets’ president Alderson praised Tebow for his efforts in a gracious statement:
“It has been a pleasure to have Tim in our organization as he’s been a consummate professional during his four years with the Mets…By reaching the Triple-A level in 2019, he far exceeded expectations when he first entered the system in 2016 and he should be very proud of his accomplishments.”
Alderson is correct in his assessment of Tebow’s career.
When Tebow first began his baseball journey, critics said it was a fool’s errand and he would quickly flame out.
Instead, Tebow rapidly improved despite a decade-plus hiatus from baseball.
Those were prime developmental years that he missed, yet Tebow performed as a credible minor league baseball player.
He even made the Double A all-star game, and deservedly so by the numbers.
Now that Tebow’s baseball journey is complete, he can focus on other pursuits.
Whatever Tebow chooses to focus on next, his improbable rise through the baseball ranks should give his persistent critics pause in doubting his chances at success.
Tebow also recently celebrated his one-year wedding anniversary with former Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, so he has company on his path.
