Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence enjoys having Tim Tebow on his team and says he continues to be a standout talent on the field, despite some controversy over the signing.
“He looks great,” Lawrence said of Tebow on the AP Pro Football podcast.
Lawrence, who was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 draft, described his new teammate as a “hard worker” and said he is someone other players can learn from.
“He’s just a guy that you want to be around. [His] character is awesome. Had a few conversations with him, and I can already tell, and just a hard worker. No one is going to work harder than him,” he told host Rob Maaddi.
“Those are the kind of guys you want in your locker room and you want to be around every day. And then, I’m excited to see what he can do on the field as well. We got in a few days, and he looks great. He’s in awesome shape,” Lawrence also said.
The rookie said he did not meet Tebow before the two met at the organized team activities this week but that he was always “intrigued by his character.”
“I never met Tim until last week, so I didn’t really know him, but I was intrigued by his character, his work ethic, and what he’s been able to do throughout his life on the field and off the field,” Lawrence said. “All those things are really interesting, so I was excited to meet him. When it was official, I saw him in the locker room and had a few good conversations, and I really like him.”
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Tebow signed with the team last week, causing some controversy.
“I want to thank the Jaguars for the opportunity to compete and earn the chance to be part of this team. I know it will be a challenge, but it is a challenge I embrace,” Tebow said after joining the team as a tight end.
“I am dedicated to taking the direction of our coaching staff and learning from my teammates. I appreciate everyone’s support as I embark on this new journey,” he added.
Several people criticized the signing on Twitter, where some comparisons were made to former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Tim Tebow is getting a football try out… at a new position… 9 years after he last played.
Colin Kaepernick is still unsigned.
The NFL likes to pay lip service to social justice now, but at the end of the day, they’re afraid of losing their racist fans.
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) May 14, 2021
So you’re telling me that Tebow got picked up before Kaepernick…..ok https://t.co/39S4j7ZteJ
— Tessie L. (@TessieLedesma) May 20, 2021
What makes folks upset about Tim Tebow signing in NFL is the NFL itself & hypocrisy of Colin Kaepernick’s blackballing vs Tebow’s unlimited privilege.
— Domenic Giammarco (@moproblems1972) May 13, 2021
Similarly, sports analyst and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Booger McFarland applauded Tebow’s athleticism but said it was a “mistake” for Jacksonville’s coach Urban Meyer to sign him.
Meyer was hired as the Jaguars head coach in January 2021 and has been doing a good job so far, according to Lawrence.
“He’s awesome, definitely a player’s coach,” Lawrence said of Meyer.
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“What I love is the expectations are very clear,” the rookie continued. “There’s no misconstruing anything. We know what’s expected of us, and he takes care of us. He knows how to coach a football team, he knows how to win. And I think with any great leader, especially a coach, you got to have someone where communication is super detailed and precise. And he’s definitely that way.”
The young quarterback said the team is already expecting to see improvements this year — and more wins. The Jaguars ended last season last in the league, with a record of 1-15.
“Everyone’s on the same page, and I just like the energy that he’s bringing in here and that we’re expecting to win this year. We don’t have a five-year plan. This isn’t let’s get a little bit better, and then eventually we’ll win. Let’s win as soon as we can. Let’s win now,” Lawrence added.
The Jaguars open their preseason versus the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 14.
