Tim Tebow announces father’s passing at 78, shares message of faith and legacy
Former NFL quarterback and college football standout Tim Tebow has confirmed the death of his father, Bob Tebow, who passed away at the age of 78 following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The announcement was made through an emotional Instagram post on Friday, where Tebow reflected on his father’s faith and final days.
“Heaven ushered in a hero of the faith last night as my Dad was welcomed home!” Tebow wrote, adding, “Many will say sorry for your loss but the truth is he’s not lost, we know exactly where he is. He’s home. Forever!”
The former Heisman Trophy winner also shared a deeply personal moment from a recent conversation with his father, writing that when asked what he looked forward to most about Heaven, Bob Tebow responded simply: “Jesus.”
“Praise God that his wait is over… He’s healed and whole now,” Tebow added, emphasizing a message centered on faith and hope.
According to Tebow’s previous interview with People magazine in 2016, Bob Tebow had been living with Parkinson’s disease for several years. Despite the diagnosis, his commitment to service remained central to his life.
Bob and his wife Pam moved to Mindanao in the Philippines in 1985 before later returning to Jacksonville to raise their family. Following his diagnosis, he eventually returned to the Philippines, where Tebow described him as being most at peace.
“When you see Dad in a third-world country with hurting people, you’re like, ‘that’s what he’s meant to do,’” Tebow said at the time.
Family tributes and lasting impact
Bob Tebow is survived by his wife Pam, their five children, and eight grandchildren. Tributes quickly filled the comment section of Tebow’s announcement, with supporters offering messages of sympathy and encouragement.
Tebow’s Instagram post included a series of family photographs, capturing moments across the years. One image showed Bob holding Tebow’s daughter, Daphne Reign, who was born in July 2025 to Tebow and his wife, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters.
Other photos highlighted significant milestones, including Tebow pushing his father in a wheelchair at his wedding in January 2020, as well as a moment when the couple shared news of their pregnancy with Bob and Pam.
Demi-Leigh, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2017, also shared her own tribute, reflecting on the version of Bob she came to know.
“I didn’t get to know the big, strong, tough, character-building man so many speak of,” she wrote. “I got to know the gentle grandpa… the one who loved ice cream, a good laugh and never met a dog he didn’t like.”
She credited him with shaping Tebow into “a protector, a leader, and above all, a man who loves God and loves people well.”
In her message, she acknowledged both the joy and grief surrounding his passing, writing, “We know heaven is rejoicing… but on this side of heaven, the emptiness is real, and it is heavy.”
A legacy carried forward
Beyond his family, Bob Tebow’s influence extended through his values and work, which Tebow and his wife both described as impactful to many.
“We will miss him,” Demi-Leigh wrote, adding that the family intends to continue honoring the example he set.
“Thank you for the extraordinary, bold and faithful life you lived and the significant impact you had on countless lives.”
Tebow, who transitioned into broadcasting after his NFL career and joined ESPN in 2013 as a college football analyst, has often spoken publicly about the role his father played in shaping his life and beliefs.
