Despite winning the Heisman Trophy, Tim Tebow's playing career in the NFL was a short one.
Although he did throw a memorable pass to guide the Denver Broncos past the Pittsburgh Steelers, his unorthodox throwing style and versatility meant that he never really settled with any of the teams he played for.
He has, however, managed to segue into a career in the media, and covers college football for ESPN, a position he enjoys despite not quite closing the book on his playing days.
At just 28-years-old, Tebow spoke to Associated Press reporter Ralph D. Russo about his career in the NFL, and opted to avoid saying outright that it was totally over. Instead, he added that "I consider myself someone that is so blessed to do what I love to do and to be around the game of college football and to be able to be part of something that was so much a part of my life since I was a little boy [...] I've got a lot of different things going on right now."
Still, a return seems hugely unlikely given that he hasn't played a game in the NFL since 2012 when he was with the New York Jets, and failed to break through from the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad in 2015 under Chip Kelly, whose college-style up-tempo offence should have suited him.
He maintains a high media profile however, mainly thanks to the fact that he was such a pop culture phenomenon, from the 'Tebowing' craze to the way he seemed to slot in to the role as a team leader seamlessly, even if his play on the field didn't quite match up to his inspirational team talks.
Turning his attention to the future, he told Russo that he may find some of those skills handy, as he has often though about what it could be like to coach.
"I love the fact that coaching is teaching," said Tebow, "and it's helping and it's mentoring and it's loving and it's being a father figure. That is something that has always intrigued me."
That's not the only path he's considering either. While it turned out that a rumoured speaking appearance at the Republican National Convention earlier this month was unfounded, that's not to say he woulnd't consider making a run for office at some stage.
"My goal has always been able to make the biggest impact that I possibly could in people's lives," Tebow added. "If I thought this is the right avenue, this would work, then I would be totally up for going down that path. Do I feel like that's right now? No, not necessarily. Could it happen in the future? Yeah, I definitely wouldn't [write] that off."
If the current contest between two of the most disliked candidates in recent memory is anything to go by, then perhaps Tebow's squeaky clean image could make him a viable presidential nominee in years to come.
Tebow 2020, anyone? No?
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