Philadelphia Eagles

Tim Tebow says he won't eye NFL return, committed to Mets

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow says he is ruling out a return to the league at this point and has no interest in returning calls from teams that are interested in bringing him in to replace an injured signal-caller.

A number of NFL teams have had to make moves because of injuries to their starting quarterbacks over the first two weeks of the season.

"I have to play baseball now -- that's what I would tell them," Tebow said. "I'm part of the Mets family now."

Tebow reported to the New York Mets instructional league in Port St. Lucie, Florida on Monday to beginning his baseball career. The Mets signed Tebow after watching him in a showcase last month and give him a $100,000 bonus to see if he can make the baseball team.

Tebow will leave the Instructional League each week to continue his job an analyst with the SEC Network on the weekends.

"When I give my word to somebody, I'm going to keep it no matter what," Tebow said. "This is something I had to do because I gave my word to my SEC family. I'm a big believer in that. It's how I was raised. That's what I want my integrity to stand for. When I give my word on something, I want it to mean something."

Tebow did not do much in his first day at camp. He participating in baserunning drills, caught balls in the outfield and took swings in the batting cage.

- Scooby Axson

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