Heisman Winner Tebow A Big Will Rogers Fan
September 15, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
SEC legend sees a lot to like in State’s signal caller.
STARKVILLE – Southeastern Conference legend Tim Tebow loves coming to Starkville. He's back in town again this weekend as part of the SEC Nation crew that'll be broadcasting live from The Junction ahead of Saturday's 11 a.m. game between Mississippi State and No. 14 LSU.
"I think [MSU has] one of the best venues in the SEC," Tebow said on Friday. "There's just such a sense of community, kindness, humility and it's contagious…It's just a special place."
There's an incredibly special person here, too, Tebow says. Just so happens, that guy plays the same position Tebow did when he was winning the Heisman Trophy with the Florida Gators back in 2007.
Tebow is a huge fan of Bulldog senior quarterback Will Rogers. And while Rogers' numbers are undeniably great, Tebow's appreciation for State's senior signal caller goes far beyond anything the numbers show.
"State fans should be so proud of him," Tebow said. "He's just a young man that has represented so well here. He's really given his heart. He had opportunities to go [after last season] when there are probably a lot of people [if they'd been in his situation] that would've left…But he stayed because he loves his team. He loves his state. He loves his school. That's a great story for college football."
If anyone can recognize unbelievable passion, it's Tebow. Few players in the history of the game played it with the zeal and vigor of the big, dual-threat lefty. Tebow could perhaps best be described as a winner. His demeanor lifted himself and the Gators to remarkable heights.
It's much the same style Rogers has for the Bulldogs now. Rogers admittedly makes it his goal to make his teammates better – whether it's developing chemistry on the practice fields or firing up offensive linemen in the huddle, Rogers is always looking for a way to lift his guys. And when things aren't going well, Rogers makes sure he and all those around him quickly put it in the past.
Last week, it's no secret that State's offense had missed opportunities to possibly put the game away long before doing so with overtime heroics. Tebow doesn't think there'll be any lasting effects on Rogers though, thanks to something Rogers shared with Tebow on Friday.
"[Rogers] said [the late Mike Leach was always telling him to] play the next play," Tebow said. "I think he genuinely means that. Coming into this week, it's play the next play. It's play the next game."
And as Rogers battles the Tigers, ironically, he might just join or pass Tebow in the SEC record books. Rogers needs only one touchdown pass Saturday to tie Tebow and another former Florida quarterback, Chris Leak, for fifth place in career touchdown passes in league history.
Should it happen, one of the happiest to see it will almost assuredly be Tebow because of how much he admires the way Rogers handles his business.
"A few of the things that ooze out of him is how much he loves this place," Tebow said once again. "And how much he loves this state, his team, the guys that he came in with [and] how important it all is to him as a player and a person. I love that."
