SPORTS
WHAT A CATCH
Tebow’s arrival will benefit Mets fans
and city merchants
With Tim Tebow arriving in Port St. Lucie even more
people are expected to attend spring training in
2017, evidenced by the mixed crowd of dedicated
baseball and football fans shouting support for him at Tradition
Field.
Tebow will draw people who come to see him — and the
Mets — as demonstrated by his first day at a recent instructional
league practice. Almost 600 people and 75 media
people from across the country descended on Tradition Field
to watch the former football star from afar with opportunities
for close-ups. When Tebow left the practice fields, a small
crowd crushed against the fence as he signed memorabilia
and posed for photos with fans for a precious few moments
of excitement.
“It is great for the town and I hope he does well,” said Joel
McGuirk, front desk manager at the Holiday Inn Express
in St. Lucie West. “When he starts getting face time during
spring training, the area will see an increase in business from
locals and the people coming from New York. I hope it is
more than a publicity stunt and Tim Tebow does well.”
A Florida football prodigy, Tebow was the first sophomore
Heisman Trophy winner while quarterbacking the University
of Florida Gators to the 2007 National Championship as
Most Valuable Player. In a short career, Tebow played for the >>
8 Port St. Lucie Magazine
GREG GARDNER PHOTOS
Former Florida Gator and pro quarterback Tim Tebow is happy to be a New York Met in Port St. Lucie for instructional league practice. As a child, Tebow
always thought he would be a professional baseball player.
BY GREG GARDNER