Tim Tebow spoke at Grace College Friday morning in front of a packed crowd at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center. (Photos by Mike Deak)

WINONA LAKE – In front of a capacity crowd at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center, the good words were spoken at Grace College’s Friday morning chapel. Those words, however, were spoken by one of the most sought-after public speakers in the business.

Tim Tebow, yes, THAT Tim Tebow, stopped by Grace as the apex guest speaker for the college’s career week. One of the largest crowds to ever convene on a non-graduation ceremony, perhaps only rivaled by former First Lady Laura Bush’s appearance about a decade ago, Tebow delivered what was expected.

His story of becoming a public figure, first as a multi-talented quarterback in high school trying to narrow down college selections, becoming a marketable figure at the University of Florida, then onto the overexposed world of professional football and later to a current career endeavor in pro baseball. As he dove into his college choices, narrowing between Alabama and Florida, his faith became a big help in his decision, as did his growing relationship with then-Gator coach Urban Meyer.

Tebow and Grace College President Bill Katip share a moment on stage ahead of Tebow’s presentation.

“I thought I would feel great, feel amazing,” Tebow said of Signing Day, which was in an auditorium full of Roll Tide and Gator Nation. “I was so stressed out, I felt like I was going to let a whole state down.

“I had been dreaming about it for so many years, and I had no idea what I was going to do.”

Tebow’s decision to go to Florida set him on a path that included a Heisman Trophy award and two national championships. Upon being drafted into the NFL with the Denver Broncos, “Tebowing” had become a cultural phenomenon and his lore was being chiseled. An overtime touchdown throw in the 2011 playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers sent his persona into hyper drive, and not only crushing the dreams of Grace College President Bill Katip and Steeler Nation, but bringing attention to Tebow’s faith on a mega scale.

Throwing for 316 yards, yards per rush were 3.16, yards per completion were 31.6, the time of possession for Denver was 31:06 and the TV ratings were 31.6. Tebow was wearing eye black stickers with John 3:16 on them. Twitter’s No. 1 trending topic following the game was the Bible verse, which mirrored the 94 million people that Googled the verse after Tebow’s Gators beat Alabama in the SEC Championship game three years prior.

“I was standing in the hallway getting ready for the press conference,” noted Tebow after Denver’s win over Pittsburgh, “And I was like, man, I thought tonight was about a game. I thought it was about winning or losing. I thought it was about the NFL Playoffs. No. God said it is just so much bigger than that.”

Tebow shared about how his family’s faith helped him overcome obstacles in life, but also to see the greater good in mission work. His story about a desolate boy wearing his Florida jersey, standing in a line waiting for a meal in a village that had no hope, made him pause and reevaluate his purpose.

He finished his time with the Grace community by leading in a word of prayer, offering an invitation to join him in a moment of spiritual reflection.