Tim Tebow rumors: Marco Rubio bats for statue of ex-NFL standout

Florida senator Marco Rubio has come up with an odd choice to replace the confederate statue and the name that has been mentioned is that of Tim Tebow.

Tim Tebow [photo credits: Jeffrey Beall via Flickr]
Tim Tebow [photo credits: Jeffrey Beall via Flickr]
The former republican made the pitch recently, batting for Tebow to replace the statue of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall as first reported by the Orlando Sentinel.

Two statues are allowed in the state though there is something that could hinder it – the memorialized individual must be deceased for at least 10 years starting January 1, 2017.

Other than that, there are other prerequisites. That includes the person must be a citizen of Florida and have made “significant contributions (s) to Florida history, economy, culture arts, education infrastructure and/or environment.”

As far as Tebow is concerned, the former NFL player has accomplished a lot in his football career that should make Florida proud. That includes delivering two National Championships to the University of Florida and winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007.

Tebow entered the 2010 NFL draft and was selected in the first round by the Denver Broncos. Though he toiled as a backup quarterback in the early goings, he did have his moments in the first two years in Denver.

That included being the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for a touchdown in each his three career starts in 2010 and working his way to starting quarterback opportunities in 2011. Team owner John Elway announced that Tebow would be the Broncos starter heading into 2012 despite the criticism of fans that he had the lowest passing completion rate in the NFL which led many to question his potential as a quarterback at the professional level.

Things went downhill in 2012 when the Broncos acquired free agent Peyton Manning. Tebow would be traded the New York Jets before being released in 2013. He would also have opportunities with the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles but Tebow never made the grade.

Instead, Tebow had become a champion off the football field. He focused on helping out the people in need and held causes and charities.

With that said, it remains to be seen if all his achievements (in and out of the field) will be enough to support Rubio’s push.

Recommendations can be made through an online survey on the Florida Department of State official website.