When Tim Tebow hoisted the Heisman Trophy in 2007, Ty Simpson was still a toddler. However, the Florida legend’s impact reached far beyond the state of Florida, leaving an imprint on a young quarterback who would one day lead the Alabama Crimson Tide. Now wearing Tebow’s iconic No. 15, Simpson revealed on Wednesday night that the Gators star remains his greatest role model beyond his own family.
"I had a Fat Head [wall graphic] of him growing up," Simpson said on the “Hey Coach” radio show. “I loved the way that he played, how passionate he was and how outspoken he was about his faith. I thought that was really cool.”
"It's something that I want to be, now that I'm on this platform now, " he added. “I want people to know, hey, I'm a Christian first and then I'm a football player. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."
Inside his family, Simpson included his father Jason Simpson, head coach of Tennessee-Martin as his most influential role model.
"Growing up, him being a coach is what I want to be one day," Simpson said. "The way that I saw him be in his program every day, see him talk to his guys just about, one, being a Christian — just giving the Word to other guys has been really cool to me. Another thing is how passionate he is about football. We both love the game, it kind of brought us together."
Alabama will open the season on the road against Florida State on August 30 at 2:30 p.m. with Simpson at starting quarterback. The game will be televised on ABC.
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