Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow traded a football for a baseball by signing a minor league contract with the New York Mets on Thursday (Sept. 8), the team announced in a news release. This son of missionaries will participate in the club's instructional league in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
The 29-year-old Tebow, who held a workout for scouts and evaluators from 28 major league organizations last month, also could be sent to the Arizona Fall League, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted.
Though Tebow hasn't played competitive baseball since high school, Tebow impressed some scouts with his "raw power and bat speed" during the August workout, reports Fox News. He played the outfield during the showcase.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal said there were about eight teams considering Tebow.
The quarterback has served as an ESPN college football analyst since his NFL career came to an end. Tebow played three seasons with the Denver Broncos and Jets, leading the Broncos to the playoffs during the 2011 season. He finished his career 8-6 in 35 games, 16 starts, with a 47.9 completion percentage, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 12 touchdowns.
The athlete also authored a new book called "Shaken," which is slated to be released Oct. 25, 2016.
Additionally, he established the Tim Tebow Foundation to fulfill dreams for children with life-threatening illnesses.
Many analysts expect Tebow to eventually be promoted to the Double-A level of the minors, given his age. The Mets' have their Double-A team in Binghamton.
If Tebow, who bats and throws lefthanded, is sent to the Arizona Fall League, he'll immediately face some of the best young talent the minor leagues have to offer, reports Fox. The Fall League rosters are filled with prospects from all 30 teams.
Tebow was selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft after a stellar college career at the University of Florida. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2007, and won the National Championship during the 2006 and 2008 seasons.
Tebow batted .448 with four home runs and 25 RBIs as a high school junior in Florida. He was named All-First Coast by The Florida Times-Union that season, according to sports records.
