PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- At Nease High School, Timothy Richard Tebow is a living legend.
And it was proven on Friday night.
Before the Panthers squared off with Pedro Menendez, Tebow's jersey was retired, and his parents were handed an honorary diploma. The crowd was excited from start to finish.
"It's a nice gesture, I think towards him," Seva McKee said.
"This was just a real important part of all our lives, so it means a lot. It really does," mother Pam Tebow said.
"Timmy" as his parents call him, wasn't there but sent a recorded message: "I will never forget my time at Nease, especially our State Championship."
Tebow was home schooled, but when he showed up to play in 2003 he ignited the fans.
Tebow threw for more than 9,000 yards, rushed for more than 3,000, and had 95 passing and 62 rushing touchdowns- all in two years.
He lead them to a state championship, received all-state honors, and was dubbed Florida's Player of the Year in back to back years.
"A lot of players that go on or have successful college and pro careers- it's always special to go back to the roots where it all started," Head Football Coach Shane Matthews said.
His parents believe in the big scheme of things, that's secondary. The God- loving Timmy they know, love and raised carries more achievement off the field, than on.
"If you're a great person and can play football, that's fine too, but the person is more important," father Bob Tebow said.
Tim's No. 5 jersey will be hung in the school gymnasium.
