Tim Tebow Still Wants to Play Despite Fractured Ribs: 'I Want to Be There for Teammates'
Tim Tebow has revealed that he has been suffering from fractured ribs over the past two weeks, but despite his condition the backup New York Jets QB has been willing to get on the field for his team.
Tebow, 25, spoke to the press after the Jets' 49-19 loss to the New England Patriots on Thanksgiving and admitted that he had to convince his coaching staff to suit up for the game in case he was needed in an emergency situation.
"I had to do a little bit of talking just to dress but I just want to be there for my teammates in case they needed me in an emergency situation," Tebow said.
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While Tebow admitted to suffering the injury two weeks ago after his team faced the Seattle Seahawks, he has been practicing and on the field in games since. While head coach Rex Ryan decided to make third-string QB Greg McElroy inactive during starter Mark Sanchez' struggles on Thursday night, Tebow sat on the sidelines.
Ryan has explained why he decided against using a willing Tebow on Thanksgiving, saying: "It just seemed like a couple of days ago I was noticing. I'm like, man, you could tell he was hurting, and it never sounded like he was, you know maybe a little, his breathing was a little different."
Ryan added. "I was standing there and I was like, well shoot, I'm not going to play this kid. I wouldn't play my son if it was that kind of situation, but to Tim's credit, he wanted to be there for his team," according to ESPN.
The coach went on to describe why he had not deactivated McElroy.
"All through the week (Tim) had practiced as the backup quarterback, and the thought did go through my mind to possibly deactivate him," Ryan said in the ESPN report. "But when he came out here, he felt that if he had to go he could get it done, and that was my decision."
Still, Tebow told the press that while his ribs may need time to heal he was ready to get on the football field if his team needed him.
"I was ready to go if they needed me. I was not ideal," Tebow admitted. "But I wanted to be there for my teammates."
While he was not exactly sure about how long the healing process would take, Tebow told the press that he hoped to be ready for the team's Dec. 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals
