In late September 2008, the fourth-ranked University of Florida football team hosted unranked Ole Miss in Gainesville. The Gators were a year removed from a national title, and they hoped to get back to the pinnacle. But things went quite badly that Saturday, and Ole Miss scored a shock 31–30 win. Tim Tebow’s tearful apology for the loss became the stuff of legend. The Gators wanted an undefeated season, but losing in September looked like an existential blow to their title hopes. Tebow’s speech, promising to play harder than any player had ever played, became legendary because Florida dominated the rest of its schedule and did still win the title. The rise from near death is that team’s legacy.
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