- Tim Tebow, Danny Wuerffel, and Steve Spurrier, Florida's three Heisman winners, reunited at the Florida Legends Experience charity event in Gainesville.
- The event raised $1 million for Isaiah 117 House, a nonprofit providing homes for children awaiting foster care placement.
- Steve Spurrier, 81, praised Tebow's leadership and mentioned Tebow was considered for Florida's head coaching job.
The Florida Gators have had three Heisman Trophy winners in program history. On Sunday, all three gathered in Gainesville to thrill fans and raise money for a good cause.
Tim Tebow, Danny Wuerffel, and Steve Spurrier took part in the Florida Legends Experience, appearing at the FL Legends Card Show at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center at Celebration Pointe in Gainesville. The day-long activities were capped off by a gala at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille on Sunday evening.
The card show, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, brought huge crowds to the Sports and Events Center, and on Sunday fans lined up for a chance to meet with the three Gators Heisman winners.
Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner who led Florida to national titles in 2006 and 2008, was the biggest draw as usual. Tebow has always been a fan favorite since signing out of high school with the Gators in 2004.
But Spurrier and Wuerffel had their share of fans, as could also be expected. Spurrier, the 1966 Heisman winner who later led Florida to six SEC titles and the 1996 national championship in 12 years as head coach, talked about how the event came together.
“We talked briefly about this 7, 8, 10 years ago,” Spurrier said. “For this charity (Isaiah 117 House), this was something all three of us would get together for. Danny and Tim are both very helpful to charities and hopefully I am too.”
Isaiah 117 House is a nonprofit organization that provides a home for children who have been removed from their homes and are awaiting foster placement.
Spurrier’s relationship with Wuerffel dates back to coaching him at UF and helping him win the Heisman in 1996, and he also has developed a close friendship with Tebow.
“I see him at the Heisman every year,” Spurrier said. “I see him at Gator functions, and I coached against him, of course (at South Carolina). Most people forget Tim won the Heisman in the year in between the national titles.”
Spurrier was also asked about Tebow’s leadership qualities.
“I admired his spirit, his attitude, and his leadership qualities,” Spurrier said. “In fact, when the coaching job came open here, I mentioned he would be a good choice to be the head coach. He said if he was asked to do it, he would have to pray on it. But he didn’t say no.”
Wuerffel and Tebow threw footballs to the fans who signed up for the experience, while Spurrier handed off footballs to fans. All three signed the balls.
The evening concluded with a dinner where fans could sit at a table with each of the Heisman winners.
Freddie Wehbe, who runs Wehbe Marketing and is managing partner of Spurrier’s Gridiron Grill, directed this unique event.
“These three Gators donated their time to help us raise $1 million this weekend so we can build Isaiah 117 House,” Wehbe said.
Spurrier is now 81 years old, and he has become basically the historian for Florida football. Amid the controversy over Washington Commanders quarterback and former LSU Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels wearing a retired college number, Spurrier said he does not believe numbers should be retired at the college level.
“I unretired my number 11 at Florida to give to Ben Hanks,” Spurrier said. “My number 11 was retired in high school too, and some people would like to see their number retired. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, though; give someone else a chance to wear it.”
