The New York Mets have signed former college football star-turned-mediocre NFL quarterback Tim Tebow to a minor league contract.
While a minor league contract does not necessarily mean Tebow will ever play for the Mets, fans woke up on Thursday and immediately went nuts on social media. The polarizing 29-year-old athlete hasn’t played organized baseball since high school but recently impressed in a workout for Major League Baseball teams.
In between professional sports gigs, Tebow emerged as a mainstay on television, contributing to ABC’s “Good Morning America” and calling college football games for ESPN’s SEC Network.
Back in 2005, Tebow was an All-State baseball player in Florida and hit .494 as a junior, but has not played regularly in more than a decade.
The Mets notified their fans of the news via Twitter, “We have signed OF @TimTebow to a minor league contract. He will participate in the #Mets Instructional League.”
Mets fans responded quickly and sarcastically. Some fans feel Tebow is taking an opportunity from someone who earned it, while other are just sick of hearing about the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner.
“Why???? Are you that desperate? Sign a kid, who really wants to play and is not in it for publicity,” one fan wrote.
Another fan wrote, “I’m seriously going to be laughing all day long.”
Check out some of the best digs:
— Jaime Mendoza (@J____Mendoza) September 8, 2016
Mets fans waking up, finding out they've signed Tim Tebow… ?? pic.twitter.com/x233RIVxY0
— Crying Jordan (@CryingJordan) September 8, 2016
*logs onto twitter*
"The New York Mets have signed Tim Tebow to a minor league contract" pic.twitter.com/vaU8AKXmQi— Lexie Schapitl (@lexieschapitl) September 8, 2016
I haven't even gotten out of bed yet and @TimTebow has ruined my day. #GOAWAY!
— J (@JZThrashNole) September 8, 2016
#Mets announce that Tim Tebow has healed Harvey, Matz, deGromm and Wheeler. All at full strength. World Series here we come!!
— Let’s Go Mets! &?⬆️ (@Hotstover) September 8, 2016
Man Tim Tebow is what you call relentless! Football didn't work out. We talked about him like a dog. Now he's signed in MLB!! Respect
— President of The Dark Skinned Society✊? (@SweepJones) September 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/sidmenon95/status/773861171610972161
https://twitter.com/RosieeQuin/status/773861076953886720
Now that Tim Tebow has signed a minor-league deal with the Mets, he should go for the triple crown and give hockey a shot. @SyracuseCrunch
— Ari Gilberg (@arigilberg) September 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/los_mets/status/773861014257426432
When you find out your team is actually signing Tim Tebow and it isn't a joke: pic.twitter.com/B30pt7nMXK
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) September 8, 2016