Tim Tebow is one of the best-known quarterbacks in the NFL. He grew up in a home filled with faith, positivity, and a strong commitment to doing the right thing, which carried him all the way to becoming an icon on the field. In this article, we’ll explore whether or not Tim Tebow was homeschooled and what this may have meant for him.
What Influenced Tebow’s Education?
When Tim Tebow began playing football professionally, many were surprised by the values he practiced. From donating part of his signing bonus to charity to showing impeccable sportsmanship throughout his career, it’s clear that Tebow honors the values his parents instilled in him. This begs the question of where, and more specifically, how, he received this moral education.
It turns out that Tim Tebow was homeschooled. His mother, Pamela, was his primary teacher, although his father, Robert, also taught him math and science.
In addition to this, he received supplemental guidance from high school counselors and consultants who worked with his parents to ensure he was prepared for college. Tim was dedicated to the work, too; he often averaged four to five hours of studying and completing schoolwork each day while still maintaining time for practice and other activities.
Benefits of Homeschooling
Homeschooling has many benefits. For starters, it allows students to learn at their own pace and in the comfort of their own home. Tim Tebow found himself able to take advantage of this aspect of homeschooling since he was able to make up for the time he lost to practice for football by studying or completing assignments at night or any other available time.
This leads to increased level of concentration and focus on the material being studied, resulting in a learner that understands the material more in-depth. Secondly, homeschooling saves the time required to commute to and from school.
With homeschooling, the student can study and learn in the mornings, spend the afternoons taking part in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, or art, and then end the day with socializing with family or friends. This gives the student more time to rest and recover, which can help them stay more balanced. Finally, homeschool allows the family to cultivate their faith more effectively.
This is not just limited to religious beliefs, but also secular philosophies and ideas. Homeschool provides the student with the opportunity to explore their faith without the influence of a classroom full of diverse beliefs.
How Tebow Made it to College
Since homeschooling does not grant a traditional high school diploma, potential college applicants need to pass an equivalency exam to demonstrate that they have the knowledge and experience of other high school students. Tebow took the GED exam and passed with the second highest score in the country that year.
This enabled Tebow to apply to college and pursue a successful college football career at the University of Florida. The homeschooling route was also a great choice for Tebow because it enabled him to maintain his focus on his goal of playing football in the NFL. His daily schooling and extracurricular activities provided him with the necessary opportunity to improve as a player as well as cultivate life skills that would prove invaluable once he graduated and began his professional career.
Nonetheless, his experience with homeschooling ultimately helped him become one of the most accomplished quarterbacks of all time.
Why Tebow’s Success Is Not Common
Although Tebow was able to make it to college and eventually enter the NFL, the same result isn’t typically achieved by other homeschooled students. This is partially due to the lack of resources that homeschooled students have access to.
Also, certain institutions, such as the UCLA and Stanford, are more selective when it comes to admitting homeschooled applicants. This process is further complicated when it comes to student athletes looking to play professionally, as they have to pass rigorous physical tests in addition to have adequate SAT/ACT scores and high grades. These attributes are hard to achieve especially when there aren’t any resources available to stay competitive with traditional high school students, who have access to high-level classes, formal assessment tests, and state-designed curriculums.
Conclusion
Tim Tebow was homeschooled for most of his education. His parents instilled values and strong faith in him, which can at least partially explain why he has become a successful player and leader off the field. Tebow had the dedication and work ethic required to navigate his homeschooling to make it to college, and eventually the NFL.
Though his success story is inspirational, it is unfortunately very rare due to resources available to students who are homeschooled.