Tim Tebow to Receive 'Great Floridian' Award
Florida Governor Rick Scott will honor New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow for being a "Great Floridian" during a ceremony on Friday.
Tebow, a former Heisman Trophy winner who helped the University of Florida Gators win two national championships, will receive the award at the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, NBC Miami reported.
The award, which is given to a minimum of two people each year, is "designed to recognize and record the achievements of Floridians, living and deceased, who have made major contributions to the progress and welfare of this state," according to the Florida statute that established the Great Floridians Program.
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The honor's recipient is chosen annually by an ad hoc committee composed of state leaders, including the governor, his cabinet, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house and the secretary of state.
A total of 66 people have been designated Great Floridians since the program began. The list of honorees includes former governors, military leaders, educators, writers and more. It also includes famous football coaches Bobby Bowden, former head coach for Florida State University, and Alonzo "Jake" Gaither, former head coach for Florida A&M University.
The Jets are reportedly trying to trade Tebow, and NFL.com's Dan Hanzus says it is "widely believed" he will be released by the team if they are unable to do so. But Tebow still plans to attend the team's voluntary team workouts, so long as he is on the roster when they begin, according to the New York Post.
"Meanwhile, the Jets would take on a level of risk if Tebow does attend the workouts," wrote Hanzus. "A season-ending injury would put the Jets on the hook for Tebow's entire base-salary for 2013.
"The Jets – and Tebow – probably are better off severing ties before any team activities take place. If there ever was a case of both sides needing a clean break, this is it."
Tebow completed the 2012 NFL season with just eight pass attempts and six completions for a total of 39 passing yards as the Jets backup quarterback. He also garnered 102 rushing yards on 32 attempts.
