"It was a great opportunity to get to know a great coach," Tebow said. "Just to be around coach Belichick and all the great coaches there in New England, I felt like it was a great opportunity to try to learn. So I tried to take as much as I possibly could and learn from a great coach — one of the best to coach. It was a phenomenal opportunity for me, and I'm very grateful they were even that interested in me."
What exactly did Tebow try to take out of the experience?
"It was just picking up a lot of different things, just from certain things and how they go about it, different things he's looking for, just a lot of little things that you try to pick up as a player, from demeanors, to attitudes, to certain things from fundamentals," Tebow said. "I think it was just a great opportunity to learn a lot, and I feel like I really did."
Belichick has been friends with former Florida head coach Urban Meyer for several years, so he spent a decent amount of time on the Gators' campus. Through that, Belichick had gotten to know Tebow, tight end Aaron Hernandez, linebacker Brandon Spikes and defensive end Jermaine Cunningham.
The pre-draft meeting earned a considerable amount of buzz throughout the NFL, and it might have even improved Tebow's draft stock. The Broncos, who were led by former New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, selected Tebow with the 25th pick in 2010.
Belichick was also complimentary of the pre-draft meeting.
"We brought Tim in and spent a whole day with him here in addition to our other interactions with him," Belichick said. "He's an impressive young man. He had great success in college. I think all his attributes are pretty well-documented. He's a strong guy, smart, works hard, a great leader, great football character. He made a lot of big plays for Florida and won two national championships."
