Florida's go-to guy

Tebow a standout on and off field

Surrounded at media day, Florida QB Tim Tebow is accustomed to being the center of attention. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

MIAMI - He is used to it now, the rock-star status that has prompted extra security this week as his Florida team goes about the business of trying to beat Oklahoma for the BCS national championship Thursday night. Throw in the status of being a Heisman Trophy winner, and add an almost too-good-to-be-true story of this All-American kid, the son of missionary parents, and you get just a glimpse at the world of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

Tebow said all the right things yesterday at media day. He does that a lot. He does even more as the heart if not the soul of a Gator team that has compiled a 12-1 record and is poised to win its second national championship in three years.

And make no mistake, Tebow is the key to most of it, with 28 touchdown passes, 12 rushing TDs, and 3,053 yards of total offense. Small wonder he has taken on almost legendary status in the state of Florida.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 240-pound junior, who last season became the first sophomore to win the Heisman, has done his best to deflect the praise and attention. He even downplays the Heisman hype that has stuck with him as Florida climbed back into contention as a national power.

"I think it has its pros and cons, just like everything," said Tebow. "I think you have to balance it, just like you do anything. Sometimes I think you could get overwhelmed with it and sometimes I think it's a blessing, so I think I just have to balance it and work with it and try to handle it as best you can."

Tebow's teammates are amused by his celebrity status.

"It's kind of cool being with a rock star," said wide receiver Louis Murphy.

But with Tebow, it is more than football. He has done offseason missionary work in Thailand, the Philippines, and Croatia. When someone asked him about the pressure of playing for the national championship, Tebow had the textbook answer.

"Pressure is not having to win football games," he said. "Pressure is having to find your next meal."

Still, after Florida was stunned at home by a 1-point loss against Mississippi Sept. 27, the pressure on the Gators was enormous. Tebow made a personal pledge that no one would work harder than he would for the remainder of the season. The Gators have not lost since, and Tebow is now matched up against this year's Heisman Trophy winner, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, for the national title.

Tebow is not above having fun, even with his words. When asked about Bradford and the other Heisman contenders in the Big 12 (Texas QB Colt McCoy and Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell), Tebow joked that he couldn't wait to face a Big 12 defense.

Oklahoma cornerback Dominique Franks responded by saying that Tebow wouldn't even be the third-best quarterback in the Big 12.

When faced with pressure situations, Tebow generally returns to his upbringing and his missionary trips, which have given him a different perspective.

"From being a lot of places with my dad on mission trips, you kind of find out what true pressure is and what is just a game," he said. "Even though we love it so much, football is just a game.

"A lot of people bleed over it and love it, and I'm one of those people. But at the end of the day, I know what's more important, and football is not more important than life, and pressure is definitely not football.

"So I think when you can put that perspective, I think it really gives you a much better outlook."

Tebow also says his role has changed from a year ago when he carried much of the burden for the Gators' success. He is still carrying a heavy load this season, but there is more talent around him.

"I think my role is a little bit different this year," he said. "Last year I had to do a little bit more, make a few more plays. This year I'm more of a manager, more of trying to just be the field general out there and put our offense in position to score points, get first downs, manage the clock, manage the turnovers.

"I think we've done a pretty good job of that this year and it's a blessing to be up here and be in this game and it's definitely worth it. I wouldn't trade this season for the world."