USA TODAY International Edition
Tebow adds film producer to resume
As if Tim Tebow didn’t have enough on his plate, continuing his quest to switch from pro football to pro baseball while playing with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets.
2019 is the year the Heisman Trophywinning football star-turned-commentator jumped into filmmaking to executive-produce his first movie, “Run the Race” – and to get engaged, popping the question to former Miss Universe DemiLeigh Nel-Peters in January.
The wedding plans still are under wraps. Tebow, 31, insists he didn’t even know the term “Groomzilla,” much less act like one. And “Run the Race” has completed its theatrical run (just released on Blu-ray and DVD).
The faith-based film that follows two sports-obsessed small-town brothers made $6.4 million at the box office.
USA TODAY spoke with Tebow about his first movie, baseball and wedding.
Question: Big film question, did “Run the Race” make money?
Tim Tebow: Yes, we did. Which is not most important. But it’s nice. What’s important is that we were able to tell a story a lot of people would be encouraged by and like. Hopefully, a lot more people will continue to be encouraged by it. It was a learning curve for most everyone involved on the project. And we’re pretty happy with the turnout.
Q: You’ve got the looks and the moves. Have you ever thought about starring in a movie?
Tebow: Maybe one day I’ll think about it. But just with how busy I am with baseball and broadcasting and everything we’re doing with my (charity) foundation, I don’t have the time to put into that. But I would definitely not cross it out. Maybe that door opens and it feels right one day and I walk through it. I’ve looked at different cameos in the past, and almost have done a few. But logistics didn’t work out.
Q: What’s next film-wise? Is there a dream project?
Tebow: I wouldn’t say there’s a dream project. But now that we have done this, it kind of brings things to life. It’s like we’re saying, “That could be a cool film.” We’re always thinking and dreaming about things, too, and now we have more of an idea of bringing that to life. I think there will be future ideas that really get me excited.
Q. Has a Tim Tebow movie been
discussed?
Tebow: People have pitched us on that. I haven’t been ready for that yet. And hopefully, there’s a lot more to the story. We’re going to keep trying to write that one for a little bit longer.
Q: Your baseball journey has seen season-ending injuries and hitting struggles. Some would have quit. What do you do when you’re down?
Tebow: You remember how much you love doing it. You focus on the process and the journey. Not just the destination. And you enjoy what you do every day. You focus on that. You don’t look ahead. You remember that every day has purpose, passion and meaning. You live that day in the moment as best as you can. Not thinking of “one days” or “what ifs” or “maybes.” But to be locked in the present. You might have a goal to make the present different one day, or get to another level. But that day is not now.
So you have to focus on who you are in this moment. On what you can do. On the impact you can have. On how you can better yourself and better others. It’s good to be a dreamer, but not when the dreaming stops you from being a doer in that moment.
Q. Are the bus trips similar to the banter-filled rides of “Bull Durham”?
Tebow: We have iPads; they had books. But it’s probably not that different. I use that time for thinking and work. I wrote most of my last book on minor league bus rides. It’s definitely not the funnest thing of all time, riding a bus across the country. But I try to use it to get stuff done.
Q. Like wedding planning? How’s that coming?
Tebow: It’s good. We’re doing a lot of work on that. It’s exciting for us. You can see it coming to fruition. We’re really looking forward to it. It’s not going to be too long from now. It’s going to be cool.
Q: What’s your Groomzilla level with your wedding needs?
Tebow: That’s funny. I have never heard that word before. But now that I have, I can say, I’m not going to be a Groomzilla.
Q. But there must be one thing you need at your wedding. What is that?
Tebow: I just think it’s getting all the people I love and care about together. That will be good enough for me. And then whatever Demi wants. It’s perfect. She has ideas and ways to make it really pretty and she’s so excited about it. She’s very good at knowing what she wants in certain areas. So that’s nice.
Q. Would you consider a baseball stadium wedding like “Bull Durham”?
Tebow: No, I don’t think so. We’ll leave that for someone else.
Q: We’ve seen the inflatable mascot Tim Tebull. Who’s got better wedding dance moves?
Tebow: Are you kidding me? Tim Tebull, for sure. I saw him perform at a game a few days ago. I’m going to have to learn some of those myself. He’s pretty funny. He entertains the crowd as well I have seen anyone. I couldn’t help but laugh watching him.