Tim Tebow, Who Never Went to Prom in High School, Asks Girl for Prom Dance on ‘The Tonight Show’

May 19, 2017 04:20 PM EDT

Former professional baseball player and now New York Mets outfielder Tim Tebow appeared on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' and surprised a fan by asking her to dance.

Fallon mentioned how he was "impressed" by Tebow's charity work at the Tim Tebow Foundation and asked him particularly about one of the foundation's annual events, 'Night to Shine.'

Tebow explained that 'Night to Shine' is a "worldwide prom for people with special needs."

The event is "held the Friday before Valentine's Day, at the same time all around the world, in every state, at 11 countries ... over 375 locations," he said.

"At one time, kids with special needs are being celebrated, they're walking down red carpets, they're being cheered for," he said, adding, "It's my favorite night of the year."

When Fallon asked him to describe how his own prom was like, Tebow revealed he was too busy back then that he never got to attend his high school prom.

"You know, I never went to prom in high school. I was always playing baseball, basketball and football. We were always so busy," he said.

His reply seemingly surprised Fallon, who asked, "That means you've never given a date one of these?" while holding out a corsage. "You do have someone you'd like to give it tonight, someone in the audience?"

Tebow admitted there was an "amazing, inspirational" girl in the audience that he would like to give the corsage to and make her "shine."

"There's actually a special girl here in the audience that went tonight to shine here in New York," he said, "and she's so amazing, she's so inspirational, and she actually reached out to me and invited me to prom."

Unfortunately, Tebow said, he had to decline because of his travels and commitments.

"But we invited her mom her today, and she is here, and I am here," Tebow said.

"And so Judy Adams, I was wondering if maybe I could have a dance?" he asked a visibly surprised young girl.

 

During the program, Tebow also talked about how important it is to love what you do, no matter how many people criticize you.

He briefly discussed his new book, 'Know Who You Are, Live Life Like It Matters: A Homeschooler's Interactive Guide to Discovering Your True Identity.'

He encouraged everyone by reminding them that they matter, they are important and they have a purpose. He also said their identity is not defined by their circumstances.

"We're gonna get knocked down, but your identity can be bigger than just your circumstances," he said.

"I wanna encourage people, especially young people, that when they pick up the book, they can read it and they can know ... you are loved by the God of this universe. You are special, you are important and you matter."