By Melissa Carney, Penn State
ALTOONA – NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will speak as part of the Penn State Altoona Speaker Series at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, Pa.
Widely recognized as one of the greatest college football players of all time, Tebow won two national championships at the University of Florida and was the first sophomore to be presented the Heisman Trophy.
A first-round selection by Denver in the 2010 NFL Draft, Tebow led the Broncos to the 2011 playoffs, the franchise’s first postseason appearance in six years. A fierce competitor with a strong work ethic and a leader his teammates trust and respect, Tebow now plays for the New York Jets.
Beyond his impressive athletic skills, Tebow’s integrity and character have earned him legions of fans. Tebow lives a life that consistently reflects his values, and he is dedicated to helping people and communities in need.
In 2010, he founded The Tim Tebow Foundation, which is partnering with CURE International to build hospitals in the Philippines. In addition to Tebow CURE Hospitals, the foundation also grants wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses and constructs playrooms in hospitals and orphanages, among other far-reaching charitable works.
While Tebow sees football as a platform for greater good, it is clear that the public’s fascination with him spreads far beyond the gridiron. He has over 1.8 million Facebook subscribers and 1.5 million Twitter followers, and his New York Times bestselling memoir “Through My Eyes” was named the No. 1 Sports Book of 2011. Tebow also was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2012.
In an industry where many are celebrated only for their performance on the field, Tebow is an example of how much can be accomplished by living your values and making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Tickets to Tebow’s Speaker Series presentation are $50 and $25 for under age 12. Tickets may be purchased  through the Penn State Altoona Development and Alumni Relations Office at 814-949-5091 or at 1419 Twelfth Avenue in downtown Altoona. For information on corporate sponsorships, contact Louisa Lobre-Riley at 814-949-5189.
Proceeds from the Speaker Series events benefit the Penn State Altoona Future Fund, which provides funds for programs that enrich academic and cultural life on campus and in the community. This fund also enables the administration to offer emergency scholarship assistance to students experiencing a financial crisis.
