“I'm extremely sorry”: When former Florida QB Tim Tebow broke down following upset loss against Ole Miss in 2008

Former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow was one of the best QBs during his collegiate journey. He led the Gators to two BCS national championships (2006 and 2008). However, during the 2008 natty-winning season, the Gators hit an unexpected hurdle when they lost 31-30 to the Ole Miss Rebels on Sept. 27, 2008.

Following the game, Tebow broke down during the post-game press conference. He talked about how they were aiming for an undefeated season. He also promised the Gators fanbase that it would be their last loss of the season and that they would play their absolute best throughout the rest of the 2008 campaign.

"I'm sorry. I'm extremely sorry. You know, we were hoping for an undefeated season. That was my goal, something Florida's never done here. But I promise you one thing. A lot of good will come out of this," Tebow said after the loss.

"You have never seen any player play as hard as I will play the rest of this season. And you will never see someone push the rest of the team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of this season. You will never see a team play harder than we will the rest of the season. God Bless."

This speech is famously known as Tim Tebow's 'Promise Speech'. The Gators went on to win each and every game of the season, including the SEC championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Tebow led his team to a national championship victory against the Oklahoma Sooners. The QB threw for 2,747 yards and 30 touchdown passes that season, winning the BCS National Championship Game MVP.

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Tim Tebow has high expectations from Florida QB Graham Mertz

In 2024, the Florida Gators are being led by QB Graham Mertz on the field. Mertz played four seasons for the Wisconsin Badgers before transferring to Florida last season. He was the team's starting quarterback and led the Gators to a 5-5 record last season.

During an appearance on "The Paul Finebaum" show last month, Tim Tebow opened up about his expectations from Graham Mertz this season.

"I think that we have one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC in Graham Mertz. I really believe in him," Tebow said.

So far, the Gators lost their season opener to the Miami Hurricanes. However, they were able to recuperate and secure a 45-7 victory against Samford in Week 2.