After whirlwind weekend, Tebow returns to Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow stepped out of the police car, still wearing a long, blue wool coat on a warm day and feeling wiped out after a whirlwind weekend.
Tebow's four days in New York City included several parties, countless interviews, some sightseeing, a family reunion and a handwritten, congratulatory message from action star and martial arts expert Chuck Norris.
And little rest.
"I am a little tired," Tebow said, clearly sapped of all his usual energy. "It was very busy, a lot of stuff to do. They call it the city that doesn't sleep, and after that weekend, I believe them."
Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman on Saturday night. He carried the heavy bronze statue back to Gainesville on Tuesday, did another round of interviews and a photo shoot and hoped to get a nap before returning to practice with No. 9 Florida.
"It is pretty surreal when you actually stop to think about it," Tebow said. "It's pretty special."
Tebow was ready to get back to normal after a weeklong road trip that started in Orlando -- where he was presented the Maxwell and Davey O'Brien awards -- and ended in the Big Apple.
He spent one night hanging with the other Heisman finalists, the next one picking up college football's most prestigious award and then two more days filled with interviews, photo shoots, autograph signings, a formal dinner and other obligations.
The most interesting part was getting to meet all the previous Heisman winners, especially running back Herschel Walker.
Walker gave two motivational speeches, and Tebow said his message was that a lot of people have great intentions, but not all of them actually do something.
"I got a lot out of those," Tebow said. "He's talking about work ethic and what he went through. It was really cool."
Tebow didn't have much free time, though.
On Monday, Tebow appeared on CBS's "The Early Show," then joined former Florida quarterback and 1996 Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel for two more television appearances. He also taped a spot for ESPN later that morning.
After a nap, he posed in his football uniform for his Heisman portrait, then ate lunch at the famous Carnegie Deli. There, the owner asked Tebow to pose for a snapshot that would join other celebrity photos on the wall.
Tebow signed autographs outside, took another nap, then got fitted for a tuxedo to wear to the Heisman's formal banquet.
At the black-tie dinner, Tebow hobnobbed with Florida's other two Heisman winners -- Wuerffel and South Carolina coach and 1966 Heisman winner Steve Spurrier.
His phone was off most of the weekend, and when he turned it on, he had countless voice and text messages. One voice mail was from Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. But the most surprising well-wisher was Norris, who faxed a letter to Tebow's New York hotel.
The two have been linked since Tebow started making plays for Florida. Several fans created Web sites dedicated to Tebowisms, copying over-the-top phrases that praise Norris' toughness.
Tebow, though, said all the extra attention won't change him.
"Maybe it'll be a little bit more busy with stuff, maybe more autograph-seekers here and there, but that's about it," Tebow said. "I'm still the same person I was before I went up there."