Tim Tebow's No. 5 jersey was retired Friday night by Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Fla. The New York Jets backup quarterback starred at Nease for three years, leading the school to its first ever state championship in 2005.
Tebow could not make the ceremony, but his parents, Tim and Pam, were in attendance.
"I will never forget my time at Nease," Tebow said in a video message, "especially our state championship."
Tebow, who was homeschooled but allowed to play football at Nease, had a spectacular senior year. He threw for 3,302 yards and 31 touchdowns while rushing for 1,163 and another 21 touchdowns. After losing their first game of the year, the Panthers went 13-1 over the final 14 games and ended the season as Florida's 4A state champions.
Tebow did just about everything for Nease. In the state final game against Seffner Armwood, Tebow accumulated more than 300 yards of offense and tallied six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing). With Seffner Armwood driving late in the game, Nease coach Craig Howard asked Tebow to play defensive line.
"We laugh about it now," Howard said last year. "He was the greatest player I've ever coached and it was the greatest decision I've ever made as a coach. I don't regret it."
Sure enough, Seffner Armwood did not score and fell to Nease by one touchdown.
Tebow also received an honorary degree from Nease on Friday night.
"It’s a great honor," said Bob Tebow. "The years at Nease were not only a lot of fun, but they were very formative years."
Nease followed Friday night's ceremony with a 43-13 hammering of Menendez.
(H/T to Cosby Sweaters)
