Tim Tebow: ‘This Isn’t a Publicity Stunt, and It’s Definitely Not for Money’

Tim Tebow says failure at baseball would have meant never giving the sport a shot.

In a freewheeling interview with Bleacher Report, Tebow says he follows Bryce Harper, Yoenis Cespedes, and David Ortiz, told of working on his game with Gary Sheffield, and drew a blank when asked about desired musical accompaniment to the batter’s box.

The former Heisman Trophy-winner insists he looks for neither publicity nor money in pursuing a baseball career:

This isn’t a publicity stunt, and it’s definitely not for money. This is a pay cut for me to do this. I understand how hard this is and that a lot of people think it’s impossible. But [I am] passionate about the game of baseball. I love it, and I want to pursue it. Are you going to let the fear of failure or not making it get in the way of that? For me, failure is not going after it and letting the chips fall where they may. I want to be someone who goes all out and pursues what I love.

The New York Mets signed Tebow to a baseball contract, awarding him a $100,000 signing bonus, after the former New York Jet and Denver Bronco tried out in front of scouts from 30 major-league teams. He reported to the New York Mets instructional league team in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Monday. The Mets, eager to capitalize on their investment, began selling Tebow #15 jerseys to fans online and on-site in Port St. Lucie.

The left-handed 29-year-old looks to make it in the Mets organization as an outfielder.