FOXBORO, Mass. — Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow and Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes were close friends during their time together at Florida.
On Saturday, Spikes will hope to pay Tebow a visit or 10 when they meet up on the Gillette Stadium field during the divisional round of the playoffs. Since Spikes missed their Week 15 game with a knee injury, this will be the first time the two will oppose one another.
"That will be a lot of fun," Tebow said. "It will be fun. I've gone against him enough times in practice, so all those spring practices we had, we had some fun going against each other. You'd like him on your team, but it will still be fun going against him. He's a great player, and I wish him nothing but the best. I look forward to giving him a hug."
Spikes — who was known as the Tebow of the defense at Florida, in reference to his leadership — will give the Patriots some more support against the Broncos' top-ranked rushing offense, but Tebow has proven to be a tough guy to tackle. It should be a good battle between the pair.
"I remember a few times in some spring practices when he might have hit me a little late when I had one of those red jerseys on," Tebow said. "He wasn't supposed to hit me, but he kind of gave me a little nudge. So we'll see."
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