Wednesday, November 25, 2009
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — There could be a blackout at Florida Field on Saturday.
An eye blackout that is.
Florida fans are urging everyone to wear eye black Saturday — with or without inscribed bible verses — in honor of quarterback Tim Tebow’s final home game.
It’s a fitting tribute to a player who wants to be remembered more for what he accomplishes off the field than on it.
Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, has worn those black, oval patches below both eyes in each of his last 20 games. He started doing it two weeks after his famous promise that followed a 31-30 loss to Mississippi in October 2008. While some players scribble their hometown area codes or messages to friends and family members on their eye black, Tebow goes with bible verses.
“I think it’s great,” coach Urban Meyer said. “I’ve got three children. I don’t mind when my daughter, my middle daughter Gigi, texts me every time what he’s wearing. She looks up the verse and texts it to me. I think that’s pretty cool.”
Several groups of Florida fans agree, although there are others who believe Tebow shouldn’t be singled out on senior day. It’s unclear who originated the idea to have everyone wear eye black for Tebow’s finale against rival Florida State, but the plan has spread quickly through Twitter, Facebook, Internet message boards and blogs.
Even Meyer, who said he shut his computer down weeks ago to avoid distractions, got wind of it.
“I think that’d be a tremendous tribute,” he said.
Tebow holds a few NCAA records, several Southeastern Conference marks and even more school records. He has helped the top-ranked Gators (11-0) win two national championships in three seasons and has them at the forefront of the title picture again.
His football success also has provided him with a platform to spread his Christian message. He spends much of his spare time on mission trips, works with underprivileged youth, and visits hospitals and prisons. His eye black gets the word out, too, whether it’s John 3:16, Psalms 23, Philippians 4:13, Romans 1:16 or some other passage.
“It’s just kind of what’s in my heart or what I think would be a good verse or appropriate,” Tebow said. “I’ll talk to my family and friends about it. I always try to get people’s opinions on things, too. But it’s really just what I’m feeling in my heart or a good verse or something that’s appropriate or appropriate with what I’m going through. What I feel in my heart is the biggest thing.”