Tebow endorses a check for $50,000 to his foundation before Saturday's autographs show in Palm Beach Gardens
PALM BEACH GARDENS – It was only a brief encounter with Tim Tebow – a handshake, photo opportunity and a brief conversation at Tebow’s autograph show Saturday at Downtown at the Gardens.
But Lindsay Berger waited four years for this moment, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
“You’re just like, in awe,” said Berger, 25, her face still glowing from the meet-and-greet. “He’s so inspirational, and we’re all such huge fans. Just to have this opportunity, I’m out of control.”
Tebow gave about 900 people a reason to smile Saturday as he took photos and autographed memorabilia for four hours on a stage in the middle of the outdoor shopping complex.
Autographs cost fans $160, and photos cost $75, but it was a small price to pay for Gator fans to get up close with the former Heisman and national championship-winning quarterback.
“The national championship ticket was a lot. This was nothing,” said Brandon Guilford, who got Tebow to autograph a photo from the 2009 BCS Championship Game.
The event was set up by Palm Beach Autographs, a company operated by three brothers from Palm Beach Gardens who serve as Tebow’s exclusive memorabilia rights holders. Downtown at the Gardens advertised it as “Tim Tebow Day” at the mall, with various games and booths set up in the courtyard to give people something to do as they waited for their autograph.
The event wasn’t as crazy as Tebow’s first autograph show earlier this month in Jacksonville – at which people lined up six hours before the event began – but it did give South Florida Gator fans a rare treat to meet their favorite player.
Tebow took pictures and gave autographs for about four hours. Before the event, he spent about an hour with six local athletes who participate in the Special Olympics.
“He’s unbelievable, and it’s so genuine,” said Steve Dodson, one of three co-owners of Palm Beach Autographs. “I’ve seen other athletes who want to sign and get done, and he really takes the time and he really enjoys the interaction.”
A large portion of the money went to Tebow’s foundation, which supports various orphanages and Boys and Girls Clubs around the country. Before the signing began, Tebow endorsed an oversized novelty check for $50,000 to his foundation.
“Hanging out with the kids, letting them know that we care about them and we’re supporting them, that was a lot of fun,” Tebow said. “We’re able to make a lot of people happy and sign things for them, but also influence a lot of kids with the money that we raise.”
Tebow took time out of his busy schedule to appear twice in Palm Beach this week. On Thursday, he was the keynote speaker at the Boy Scouts’ 100th year anniversary luncheon. Friday, he flew back to Gainesville to conduct a private workout with the Seattle Seahawks and hang out with his former coach, Urban Meyer. He flew back down to Palm Beach for Saturday’s event, and he will be shuttling back and forth between Gainesville, Nashville (where he has been preparing for the NFL Draft) and several different NFL cities for workouts between now and next month’s draft.
“Not sure how many more I got or can do with the time allotted, but we’ll still be working out for teams, flying to see teams,” Tebow said.
Even with the high admission price, most fans thanked Tebow for coming out, instead of the other way around.
“I just said, ‘Thank you for everything, for just doing what you’re doing,’” Guilford said. “He just said, ‘Thank you, God bless.’ That’s all I needed.”
Noteworthy: Meyer apologized to Orlando Sentinel reporter Jeremy Fowler on Saturday, four days after Meyer confronted Fowler over an article he didn’t like about receiver Deonte Thompson.
