If you’ve ever met a celebrity or an idol of yours and they
turned out to be less than friendly, inviting, and kind, I’ve shared your
disappointment. After last week’s game, I had an encounter that gave me the
chance to put Tim Tebow’s legendary kindness to the test.

After the FIU game, a friend and I walked past the track on
our way home, our usual route. On the way back, we happened to catch a glimpse
of Tim with his parents making their way to a private tailgate and onto a bus
with very tinted windows.

After deciding not to attack him like crazed fans, our
excitement overtook us and we had to share the sighting with the first
strangers who walked by. They happened to be a family, including a young boy
holding a football. His mom, Angie, explained to us that he was upset because
they waited outside the stadium, but Tebow didn’t come out with the rest of the
players, so he never got the chance to have his football signed by his hero.
She asked if we thought Tebow would sign the ball if they asked him. We all
doubted that he would deny a young fan.

Angie and her son,Wyatt, made their way behind the bus while
we waited with her husband, curious of the outcome. After about forty minutes
of waiting, Angie came running out from behind the bus, football in hand. She
told us that she was able to get Tebow’s attention and asked him to sign the
ball. He took the ball on the bus with him and promised to send it out when he
could.

Angie waited, trying not to draw attention to herself next
to the private tailgate, when a woman approached her. The friendly woman asked
if she knew her, and Angie explained why she was there. She told her they had
waited outside the stadium and that Wyatt had dressed up as Tim for superhero
day at school. The woman introduced herself as Pam Tebow and went onto the bus
to see if the football was signed yet. She emerged a moment later, signed ball
in hand, and asked Angie her son’s name. She ran back onto the bus again and
came back out to present Angie with the ball, signed and addressed to Wyatt.
Angie thanked her and handed the ball to Wyatt. She was shaking as she told us
what happened, and Wyatt was beaming. They thanked us for telling them we saw
Tebow. We had made Wyatt’s day.

So for all of us who have felt the disappointment of meeting
an unfriendly celebrity or hero, maybe we should try to meet more people like
Tim Tebow. He makes a victory lap after every game with a smile on his face. He
signs a kid’s football even though he’s probably tired and just trying to spend
time with his family. He is just as giving and friendly as legend tells.

Ly Anne is a Columnist for GatorTailgating.com