Tim Tebow Says Belichick Made Him Turn Down a Million Dollar Payday

#shaken pic.twitter.com/lHvDLxBWZE

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) November 28, 2016

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From Tim Tebow’s new book, “Shaken“:

I remembered when I had signed with the team in June. Then I’d had an offer on the table to make a one-day appearance endorsing a product for a million-dollar paycheck. I’m sure you’d agree that a million bucks is a lot to make in just twenty-four hours. But I wasn’t quick to say yes.

When I came on the team, Coach and I had a long and deep talk. “I want to make you one of the guys,” he told me. “This is not going to be a media circus. I’ll control it if you do your part. You’re part of a team, Timmy. We’re in this together.”

So when the offer for the one-day commercial turned up, I was sure to discuss the opportunity with him. “I want to know what you think, Coach,” I said. “I respect you and I want to fit in. I want to be one of the guys. Should I do it?”

He thought about it for a moment and then shook his head. “Timmy, I would really appreciate it if you didn’t.”

Highly respecting the man, I turned down the deal. I didn’t even think twice about it. I wanted the chance to impress Coach Belichick more than I wanted the money. I’ll say that if I were on any other team, I would have probably said yes to the offer. But the thoughts he offered in our initial conversation mattered to me — even more than a million dollars.

As Tim Tebow and I both know, the Bible has a lot to say about money:

“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24)

“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5)

Tebow’s own bestie Jesus said “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)

And now to those we can add “Timmy, I would really appreciate it if you didn’t.” (Belichick 20:13)

You can really respect Tebow for his decision. It says a lot about the man’s integrity and commitment to football. But to me, it says a lot more about Belichick. That he wouldn’t hesitate to look a player in the eye and tell him in the middle of an offseason that the price of playing on his team is to turn down a million bucks for 24 hours of work (allowing for meal times, that works out to about $47,600 per hour, pretax) is the mother of all boss moves. And that a third string quarterback with a slim chance to make the roster would go along just to appease him says a lot more about the respect Belichick engenders than it does about the guy who turned down the money.

The bottom line is that getting into the kingdom of God is no joke. But getting into the kingdom of Mr. Kraft is even harder.