"The Promise"

Down in Gator Nation, they call it simply "The Promise".  Ten years ago today, the University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss") football team beat the number four ranked Florida Gators football team by a score of 31-30.  Florida was loaded with NFL caliber talent.  They had a Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow, playing quarterback.  They were coached by one of the top college coaches, Urban Meyer, in the game at that time.  They had everything going for them.  And they lost.

What Tim Tebow said in his post-game press conference is the stuff of legend.  Fighting through tears, he turned to the media and the fans present.  And he apologized.  He apologized for losing.  He apologized for letting the fans down.  He knew that the football team - his football team - was better than how they had played that day.  And he made a promise.  There is a plaque just outside the Florida football stadium that has immortalized Tebow's words in stone:



Love him or hate him, Tim Tebow's speech is admirable.  His speech is inspirational.  And he backed it up.  The Gators won ten games in a row, won the SEC Championship, and ultimately won the NCAA National Championship for the second year in a row.  On this day, ten years ago, a Heisman Trophy winner became a leader.  On this day, ten years ago, a leader was born.