Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow is actively pursuing a career in professional baseball, his agents told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Tebow plans to hold workouts for all 30 MLB teams later this month, Schefter reports.
Tebow last played baseball in high school in 2005, but has been training for the past year in the hopes of playing the outfield for a professional team. He has been working out with former MLB catcher Chad Moeller, who called Tebow’s swing impressive and said he believes Tebow has the skill to make it to the majors “relatively quickly.”
“Tim’s athletic ability, his work ethic, his leadership and his competitiveness were evident in football and will show in baseball,” Tebow’s football agent Jimmy Sexton said. “Knowing Tim’s passion and desire, we won’t be surprised by anything he accomplishes.”
Tebow, 28, played three NFL seasons for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets after being selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. He participated in training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, but was cut before the regular season began.
In 35 career games between 2010 and 2012, Tebow completed only 47.9% of his passes at quarterback, throwing 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Brodie Van Wagenen, the co-head of CAA Baseball, warned against viewing Tebow’s venture into baseball as a publicity stunt.
“This may sound like a publicity stunt, but nothing could be further from the truth,” Van Wagenen said, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. “I have seen Tim’s workouts, and people inside and outside the industry – scouts, executives, players and fans – will be impressed by his talent.”
In recent interviews, Tebow has said he was considering potential careers in politics, coaching and a possible NFL return.