Tim Tebow Turned Down $1 Million Commercial For A 1% Chance To Play In NFL: A Lesson In Passion And Sacrifice

Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is best known for his career in football. His love for football was so strong he once turned down $1 million for a chance to continue playing the game he loved.

What Happened: A lineup of more than 100 speakers took various to stages at VeeCon 2023 to share business advice and life lessons. A keynote from Tebow kicked things off Saturday and showed the sacrifice that people make if they’re truly passionate about something.

Few people would believe Tebow isn’t passionate about the sport of football. Some might be surprised to learn just how passionate Tebow was to have a chance to keep playing the sport he loved.

Tebow told the crowd that his love for football has led to him playing with a broken arm, broken leg, broken shoulder and broken collarbone at points in his career.

“I love the game and am willing to suffer for it,” Tebow said.

Tebow told the crowd a story from late in his NFL career.

Ahead of the 2013 NFL season, Tebow signed a deal with the New England Patriots. Tebow said he received a call from head coach Bill Belichick and was told he was coming in as the backup if he made the team, as they already had their guy, Tom Brady.

Belichick told Tebow he wanted him to stay under the radar and stay out of the public as much as possible.

Tebow’s agent called to tell him of an opportunity to shoot a commercial with a company for around four hours of time with a payday of $1 million. Tebow knew that there was a strong chance Belichick would tell him to turn down the job offer.

The subsequent phone call with Belichick ended up just how Tebow he thought it would: Belichick told Tebow he would appreciate him turning down the deal.

Tebow turned down the deal and then was ultimately cut by the Patriots before the season began.

The former NFL quarterback told the audience that the $1 million would have been twice as much he would have made playing for the Patriots that season.

“If they gave me a 1% chance to live out something I’m so passionate about, it would be worth it to me.”

Related Link: Matt Higgins On Stage At VeeCon 2023, How To Think About AI, Win Long Term 

Why It’s Important: Tebow encouraged VeeCon 2023 attendees to be passionate about something, not just excited about it.

Tebow used his million-dollar story as an example of being passionate about something. Tebow said he was so passionate about the game of football he was willing to suffer.

“If I’m willing to do that for a game, for a team, for a 1% chance, what should I be willing to do for life and helping people,” Tebow said.

Tebow said his passion is now for helping others and hopes that he is remembered for more than being an NFL quarterback. Tebow said being passionate about serving people is “more important than a game ever was.”

“Are you just bringing passion and urgency to be successful, or doing it because you love to?”

Tebow told those at VeeCon 2023 that he hopes they’re successful, but more importantly that they are significant.

“Success is about you, significance is about other people.”