Tim Tebow Reveals How NE Patriots Coach Bill Belichick Pressured Him Out of a $1 Million Endorsement Deal

By Carlo Monzon
Tim Tebow
Former NFL player Tim Tebow arrives at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscars Party in West Hollywood, California, U.S. on March 2, 2014.  REUTERS/Danny Moloshok/File Photo

In his new book "Shaken," former New England Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow talked about a controversial encounter with coach Bill Belichick that cost him about $1 million dollars. According to the ex-NFL star, he turned down a huge endorsement deal because Belichick wanted him to be "part of the team."

Tebow's "Shaken" has been on the shelves for some time now but one particular excerpt from the book has managed to grab the attention of his fans and followers of the Patriots.

In the excerpt, Tebow talked about his debut year with the New England franchise under the guidance of Belichick. Shortly after he signed with the team in June 2013, a company approached him to endorse a product in exchange for a million dollars.

But, since he was a new member of the Patriots, he decided to seek Belichick's approval first before accepting the endorsement deal.

"I'd had an offer on the table to make a one-day appearance endorsing a product for a million-dollar paycheck," he wrote. "But I wasn't quick to say yes."

"When I came on the team, coach and I had a long and deep talk," he continued. "'I want to make you one of the guys,' he told me. ‘This is not going to be a media circus. I'll control it if you do your part. You're part of a team, Timmy. We're in this together.'"

Due to what Belichick said, he approached the coach and told him about the deal before agreeing to it. He was then told by Belichick to not do the endorsement. Due to his huge respect for the coach, he turned down the offer and walked away from an easy $1 million.

Although this shows the deep relationship and respect between Tebow and Belichick, things changed drastically two months later. Despite Belichick's talk of making Tebow feel at home with the Patriots, the quarterback was released from the roster in August 2013, two months after he signed with the team, according to Sports Illustrated. At that time, Belichick told Tebow that he did not fit well with the squad.

"I thought of the endorsement deal I had turned down two months earlier, questioning and maybe even regretting my decision," he wrote. "Was it the wrong choice? If I had said yes, would that have put me in a better situation than where I am right now - sitting in front of two coaches who are firing me without telling me exactly why?"

"Then, the meeting was over," he added.

Although this excerpt will probably raise questions as to how Belichick really related to Tebow, the former quarterback as already moved on from his confusing time with the Patriots. Aside from signing with the Philadelphia Eagles after his stint in New England, he completely left the NFL to start a new career in Major League Baseball as an outfield for the New York Mets.

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