Philadelphia Eagles

Tim Tebow's first day with the New York Mets caused quite a spectacle

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

Tim Tebow's professional baseball career officially began on Monday, as the ex-NFL quarterback attended his first practice with the New York Mets' at the club's instructional league camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Outfitted in royal blue and orange, the Heisman Trophy winner and two-time National Champion felt right at home playing in front of hundreds of Florida Gator fans, as Port. St. Lucie is in the heart of Gator country -- about 250 miles south of Gainesville.

Fans arrived in droves to cheer on the former Gators star, who sported a No. 15 jersey -- his college football number.

Checkout the crowd to watch Tim Tebow practice #Mets #Gators #WTSP #OMG pic.twitter.com/rpY77Iep0I
— Chris Fischer (@ChrisFischer07) September 19, 2016

VIDEO: Fans cheer as Tim Tebow practices taking a lead and returning to first at Mets camp. pic.twitter.com/V7FGElsD12
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) September 19, 2016

The team even rolled out Tim Tebow Mets jerseys, which is unheard of for a player who hasn't yet played in the majors.

Plenty of media was on-hand to capture every one of Tebow's moves, from batting practice to fielding drills.

Tim Tebow takes batting practice #WTSP pic.twitter.com/WKTkE73vhZ
— Justin Granit (@JustinGranit) September 19, 2016

Tim Tebow working out with the #Mets at Tradition Field today. #Tcpalm pic.twitter.com/dUdTlEnxvK
— Molly Bartels (@TCPalmBartels) September 19, 2016

After his first day of workouts, Tebow spoke with the media during a post-practice press conference -- an extreme rarity for instructional league teams.

— SportsNet New York (@SNYtv) September 19, 2016

Tebow, who was signed by the Mets to a minor-league deal earlier this month, knows he has along way to go before he ever sees the light of day in the big leagues. But he said he's up for the challenge and will actually "embrace" the lengthy bus rides he'll have to endure as he works his way through the minors.

"A lot of people would say, 'Well, it puts a chip on your shoulder,'" Tebow said. "I mean, I guess I have a little chip. You want to prove people right. Not really the naysayers, it's more that I want to prove the coaches right, the Mets organization, my teammates, play with my teammates and try to be the best baseball player I can — more importantly, the best person I can."