Tearful Tebow makes the congratulatory rounds

Say what you will about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. But the guy is a pillar of class.

After the game, amid the delirium of Alabama's on-field celebration, Tebow patiently navigated the crowd. He shared a brief hug with Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.

Then he arrived at where Alabama coach Nick Saban was giving a postgame interview to CBS. Surrounded by a mob of cameramen, Tebow stopped and waited about 30 seconds while Saban wrapped up his interview.

Alabama football SID Jeff Purinton then told Saban that Tebow was waiting for him. Saban immediately went to Tebow. Tebow and Saban then had a quick conversation.

"I can't remember everything," Tebow said of the conversation. "But he just said keep your head up. You're a great player. You've had a great career and just keep your head up and don't change who you are."

As Tebow and Saban parted, Tebow also hugged Alabama tight end Colin Peek (a fellow Jacksonville, Fla. native) and Peek spoke to Tebow for about 30 seconds. Then Tebow found Alabama athletic director Mal Moore, embraced him in a hug and the two spoke for a moment.

The guy is classy, like him or not. If everyone in college football were like that, it would be a better sport.

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