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Tim Tebow: Fighting Illini Changes Since Last NFL Start

By Rees Woodcock

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Since the recent news that Tim Tebow has signed on with the Philadelphia Eagles, it got me to thinking, what all has happened to the University of Illinois sports since he started his last game in the NFL?

Tebow started his last game in the NFL on January 14, 2012.  He lost to the New England Patriots 45-10 and was never seen in a Denver Bronco’s jersey ever again.

Since that final start there has been a great deal go on in the world.

There have been sad happenings like Aaron Hernandez getting sentenced to life in prison for murder and he was actually the leading rusher for the Patriots in the final Tebow start.

We have experienced national tragedy in the Boston Marathon Bombings on April 15, 2013.  The country pulled together and now we honor those who have been lost and injured in this terrible event that happened.

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While there have been sad occurrences since Tebow started his last game, there also have been entertaining and happy sports moments occur.

Auburn ran back a missed field goal to beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl and ruin their chances to go to the National Championship.  That was a special sports moment.

Ray Allen made a huge 3-pointer at the end of the game to help propel the Miami Heat to an NBA Championship.  That is another special spots moment.

A lot has change in Illinois sports in the time span of Tim Tebow’s last start as well.  Here are some tidbits about what has happened in that time frame that has shaped Illinois sports to where they are today.

Illinois Sports Since Tim Tebow’s Last Start

This guy fired

Mar 7, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bruce Weber reacts against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Weber had a run with the Illinois basketball team that seen them in the National Championship in 2005, but this all ended in 2012.

In 2012, Illinois basketball was 15-3 and coming off of a game against Ohio State that seen Brandon Paul drop 43 points in a victory.

Four days after this amazing performance by Paul, Tebow would make his last start for the Broncos.  Illinois finished that season with a 17-14 record and missed the NCAA Tournament.

This guy hired

Jan 24, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce looks on from the sidelines in the second half against the Minnesota Gophers at Williams Arena. The Gophers won 79-71. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

After that massive collapse in 2012, Bruce Weber was let go and John Groce stepped into the role as head coach.

The program only has made the NCAA Tournament one season since Groce took over but things are starting to look up.

Gorce has a solid recruiting class coming in and a team that has potential to be pretty decent this upcoming season.

Beckman Takes Over

Dec 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Tim Beckman on the field before the game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the Heart of Dallas Bowl at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The date that Tim Tebow made his final start in the NFL, Tim Beckman had yet to coach a game at Illinois.

Beckman is now heading into year four with the program and is trending in the right direction.  Yes, he has only made one bowl game in the first three seasons but there is positive momentum right now.

Illinois football just got done with their spring practice and despite some injuries; the team is looking pretty good.

Junior quarterback Wes Lunt looks to help lead the team to one of the best seasons that Illinois football has seen in the last decade.

Lost a Legend

Mandatory Credit: FightingIllini.com

Illinois has dealt with loss since Tim Tebow made his last start in the NFL.

Illinois basketball lost a family member when long time coach Wayne McClain lost his life on Wednesday October 15, 2014.

McClain was a main staple on the Illinois bench since 2002.  Despite the multiple coaching changes that the Illini went through there was always one person you could recognize on that bench and that was McClain.

Basketball Recruits Spurn Illinois

Over the span when Tim Tebow started his last NFL game Illinois basketball has been in the running for some highly touted recruits.

There have been top recruits like Cliff Alexander and Demetrius Jackson that have entertained the possibility of playing basketball at Illinois, but as history has now shown us; those recruits didn’t want to go to Illinois.

Cliff Alexander

Demetrius Jackson

Carlton Bragg

Quentin Snider

Griffey Shocks the World

While there have been bad things that have happened to Illinois sports over the span of Tim Tebow’s last start, there also have been good things.

On February 7, 2013 Illinois basketball welcomed the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers to town.

With the game tied 72-72 Brandon Paul was inbounding the ball and the rest is legendary….

Next: Marcus LoVett Down to 8 Teams

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