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Tebow Got Calls Before Saturday's Game

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Jenna Marina

Published: October 9, 2007

Gainesville - Gainesville - University of Florida QB Tim Tebow said Tuesday that he received hundreds of threatening phone messages in the week leading up to the Gators' matchup against Louisiana State.

The sophomore said he wouldn't repeat the messages because he "doesn't use that language too much," and he acknowledged that some of the calls promised physical threats.

"Some people did take it way too far. Farther than you should take it with sports," Tebow said. "But I think for the most part people were just having fun. But unfortunately there's people like that everywhere.
While Tebow let most of the calls go to his voicemail, he did say that he picked up the phone several times out of habit, but he would quickly hang up.

Tebow's father, Bob, was shocked about the ordeal, according to The Associated Press.

"It's absolutely insane," he said. "It's egregious. [Messages] were pouring in. He would not tell me all the stuff. He told his brothers and they told me some, but they wouldn't tell me everything."

UF coach Urban Meyer said he talked to Tebow's family and consulted the team's police officer about the situation.

"I just worry about a young player's safety," Meyer said. "I told Tim just dump [the phone] and get another one. He changed his number and all that."

The experience didn't seem to faze the quarterback but rather fueled a form of taunting.

After Tebow threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kestahn Moore in the first half, the quarterback faced the Tigers crowd, mimicked dialing a phone and then put his hand up to his ear.

"They were just having fun with me, so I was having fun with them, too," Tebow said. "It's what college is all about."

TARTT CLEARS THE AIR: Florida OG Jim Tartt dispelled any rumors that Louisiana State DT Glenn Dorsey took some extra hits during the Gators' loss to the Tigers on Saturday night.

Rumors circulated after the game that Dorsey had taken a cheap shot on Tartt by poking him in the eye.

"He was just pass rushing," Tartt said. "He was just swinging his arms and his thumb went up in my eye. It wasn't a big deal."

The redshirt junior seemed to enjoy his experience going up against the All American tackle.

"Me and my boy [Maurkice] Pouncey handled him all day, know what I'm saying?" Tartt said with a smile. "He's a good football player, though. He was real good."

BAD SPOT: Meyer said Tuesday that Florida turned in video to the Southeastern Conference office from the LSU game about a questionable spot.

LSU's Jacob Hester rushed on fourth-and-one at the Gators seven-yard-line, and he appeared to be stopped short.

The officials spotted the ball at the 5-yard line, and the Gators did not review the call. Florida will wait for a verdict as Rogers Redding, the SEC coordinator of football officials, reviews the footage.

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