After time out of the National Football League (NFL), Florida Gator football legend Tim Tebow signed a new 1-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But according to an ESPN host, it wasn’t because of Tebow’s athletic abilities –but instead because of “white privilege.”
“Let me be the first to say, I don’t give a damn how you feel. I mean what I say. It is white privilege,” said ESPN host Stephen A. Smith.
On ESPN’s show “First Take,” Smith noted that Tebow hasn’t played in the NFL since 2012 and is moving from quarterback to tight end.
“How does a 33-year-old failed quarterback, out of the league for nearly a decade, get signed to a professional football contract at a position he never played before?” asked Smith.
Smith also said hiring Tebow takes away the opportunity from a younger, more properly trained tight end trying to make it in the league.
“If you want to say that Tebow got his Jaguars contract because of his past relationship with new head coach–and Tebow’s former gator college coach–Urban Meyer, fair enough. But saying Tebow got it because of ‘white privilege’ is absolutely wrong,” said Jason Redman, CBS Radio sports analyst.
Redman said a big reason why the Jaguars brought Tebow on is that he’s popular and he will help sell tickets, especially as he has called the First Coast home for decades.
Last month, NFLShop.com just reported that a day after signing with the Jaguars, Tebow had the number one selling jersey in the league.
“The top five items on NFLShop.com are all Tebow’s No. 85 Jaguars jerseys,” noted NFLShop.com
Reach Ed Dean at ed.dean@floridadaily.com.
Author
carlie,jd
August 18, 2021, 10:35 am at 10:35 am
How many former Buckeye tight ends are on the fringes of being NFL players? But a 33-year-old, with mediocre athletic ability, and an even more intellect, and no experience at the position, got the coveted opportunity instead.
The best thing you can say about the situation is that it’s cynical money-grab by the Jags. But, it was not a football decision. And those still cartoonishly trying to defend this nonsense are only providing more evidence that it was an exercise in skin privilege.