I recently watched the Netflix Docuseries Untold: Swamp Kings, which centers around the rise of the Florida Gators Football Program under Head Coach Urban Meyer. I had several takeaways, but two specific moments stood out:
- Urban Meyer’s sense of urgency to sign Tim Tebow.
- Tim Tebow led his team into late-night weight room sessions wearing war paint and bandanna.
Urban’s Urgency
When you coach football, every coach knows that the team’s heartbeat is the quarterback. At the time, Tebow was the number one QB recruit in the country out of high school. Meyer had a specific offense that he knew fit Tebow’s skill set. The amount of pressure Meyer felt to sign Tebow was immense, and he subconsciously knew that this single player could make or break his career with the Florida Gators.
The quarterback is in a leverage position. They hold the most influence to propel or descend the playing/coaching careers of those around them. They showcase the talents of teammates and potentially mask their flaws as well. Leadership positions in the world often have the same influence. That is why CEOs or Principals are frequently referred to as the “Quarterback” of the organization.
When Urban Meyer landed Tebow on signing day, he knew his career was on the right trajectory. He had the personality and leader he sought to run his team and become the heartbeat. These exceptional individuals are hard to come by. Tebow put Meyer on the national map. He was Gatorade for Meyer’s soul.
War Paint & Bandanna
Swamp Kings captured grueling late-night team workouts, where they would do training sessions that few other programs were willing to do, which set them apart. Led by Tebow, he would roll in with black face paint and a camo bandanna. It was a warrior-like persona that was contagious. His genuine passion for those moments trickled through the organization. In the documentary, when reflecting on those moments, Tebow said, “It was awesome!” A testament to his belief that “We can control a few things: our attitude, our effort, our focus, and how we go about treating our teammates.” Tim was the Gatorade for his team’s soul.
