Gator Country

University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow took home the ESPY Award for Best Male College Athlete on Wednesday night at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Tebow edged out basketball players Tyler Hansbrough of University of North Carolina and Michael Beasley of Kansas State.

“It is an honor to be at an event with many of the people I’ve grown up watching and respecting,” said Tebow. “I accept this award on behalf of my coaches and teammates. The fact that this award is based on fan voting makes it all the more special. I’ve always appreciated the support I’ve received from the fans and the Gator Nation.”

Tebow is the second Florida football player to take home an ESPY as former UF quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel was chosen as the Best Male College Football Player in 1997.

The Jacksonville native earned the award after completing a record-breaking sophomore season. The only sophomore in history to take home the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award, Tebow also became the first player in NCAA history to pass and rush for over 20 touchdowns in a season. The SEC Male Athlete of the Year also set a new standard in single-season touchdown accountability in the SEC, totaling 55 (32 passing, 23 rushing).

The ESPY Awards, in its 16th year, honor the best in sports and celebrate the best sports stories of the year. The award show will air on ESPN on Sunday, July 20 at 9 p.m. ET.

(The Sports Information Department at the University of Florida composed this report)

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