Tim Tebow Released from Jets After One Season [Video]
The New York Jets have released Tim Tebow as the team's quarterback after just one season.
Jets coach Rex Ryan made the announcement earlier this morning. It came after a much publicized acquisition of Tebow who became a national sensation in part because if his Christian beliefs. The Jets acquired Tebow last year in a blockbuster trade that cost $4 million. Tebow spoke of his excitement at the time of the signing, but he threw only eight passes this past season.
"We have a great deal of respect for Tim Tebow," Ryan said.
"Unfortunately, things did not work out the way he all had hoped."
Ryan said that he wished the 25- year old the best in his pursuits.
"Tim is an extremely hard worker, evident by the shape he came back in this offseason. We wish him the best moving forward," he said.
The decision was expected as Tebow failed to live up to the hype which surrounded his acquition. He had previously led the Denver Bronco's to the playoffs in 2011. However, his performances with the Jets were not quite as memorable. Tebow reached his breaking point when he was passed over as starting quarterback on December 18, 2012. He told the coach how he felt.
"It was just me asking for an opportunity to play the position I love, which is quarterback," Tebow said.
"I can't lie about that, I was definitely disappointed. I wanted an opportunity to play quarterback. I wanted to do more out of the Wildcat, so I was disappointed."
At the time, Tebow also expressed frustration that his reputation was also being undermined. He had been called a quitter after a report said that he did not want to play in certain situations.
"You work your whole life to build a reputation," Tebow said. "Then people try to bring you down when they don't understand what happened."
However, his teammates felt that the blame on Tebow was deserving since he did not excel on the field. The players criticized him off the record to the New York Daily News. They felt he was no good and merely a gimmick. Matt Slauson openly supported Mark Sanchez as quarterback over Tebow.
"It's not even close," Slauson said. "All the other quarterbacks know it. I have all the confidence in Mark. We don't really have a choice."
