Tim Tebow (AP)
LOVE LIKE A JET: Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis was effusive with his praise of quarterback Tim Tebow (inset), saying his new teammate’s passion was evident eating lunch and walking the hallway of the team’s facility. (Anthony J. Causi; AP (inset))
Since Tim Tebow has joined the Jets, we’ve heard he has been impressive in the weight room, impressive in the classroom and impressive on the field. Now he’s impressive even in the cafeteria.
All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis gushed about Tebow, the Jets’ new quarterback, yesterday. He called him a “born leader” and said Tebow’s passion is evident in everything he does — including eating lunch.
“I think it’s the passion within, of him wanting to be a leader and wanting to win,” Revis said. “You see it all the time. Eating lunch you see it, walking down the hallway you see it. He’s like … I’m trying to think of the cartoon character. He’s like Zeus. He’s just one of those guys. He’s just very positive. He has passion for what he does and you can see it. You can see it when you have a conversation with him.
“He’s just a leader. He wants to win and everything is positive about him.”
Tebow has yet to take a snap for the Jets, but he already is a huge presence in the Jets locker room. Teammates admire his work ethic and marvel at his sunny demeanor. Players say he is the first one in line in the weight room and has already fit in with his new team.
Yesterday, linebacker Bart Scott kiddingly called Tebow “Baby Jesus.” The devout Christian Tebow fired back that Scott was just being loud for the media’s benefit. Scott complained of being sore and asked Tebow for “holy oil” and “I want Tebow to heal me.” Tebow suggested Scott go to the cold tub in the trainer’s room. Scott joked that Tebow could baptize him.
Several players were sitting around listening to the exchange and laughing. It showed how well Tebow has acclimated to his new surroundings less than two months after getting traded here from the Broncos.
“Very few athletes have the gift that he has,” Revis said. “He’s a born leader. He tries to lead by example all the time. He tries to be positive, which is awesome. And that results for his success on the field. He came in with Denver and did unbelievable and now he’s with us. We’re happy. We’re excited for him. We’re happy for him to have the leadership qualities he brings over to this team.”
Before the Jets faced Tebow and the Broncos last season, Revis questioned whether the run-heavy scheme Denver used with Tebow could work over time. After watching Tebow lead a 95-yard drive to beat the Jets, Revis was a believer. Now, he has even more appreciation for Tebow.
“You respect the guy,” Revis said. “He’s a playmaker. He makes plays. He wins games. That’s it. Having him as a teammate, it’s kind of different because you actually get to see him every day. You get to talk to him every day. You get to eat lunch with him. It’s totally different. When you’re competing with somebody, you don’t know that person. You only see what you see on film and that’s him playing football. You don’t actually know him as a person.”
Not until you sit down and eat lunch with him, apparently.