Quarterback Tim Tebow made his first practice on the field one day after landing an NFL deal with the New England Patriots.
Tebow, 25, attended the Patriots minicamp Tuesday, where he practiced with Pro Bowl quarterback and Pats starter Tom Brady and backup Ryan Mallet for the start of the team's three-day minicamp.
The former Florida Gators star wore a red jersey without a number and performed several drills and exercises with the two other quarterbacks at the Patriots training facility.
"First and foremost, I just want to thank the Patriots for giving me an opportunity. I'm very thankful," Tebow said on the field after practice, according to the Associated Press. "It's such an honor to be a Patriot and play for Coach (Bill) Belichick and for Coach (Josh) McDaniels, learn under Tom (Brady), and be a part of this very successful franchise."
Six weeks after he was cut by the New York Jets, Tebow shocked the world on Monday by signing a two-year deal with the perennial Super Bowl contender.
According to initial reports, Tebow's contract has no guaranteed money. However, a league insider disclosed that Tebow will receive the veteran's minimum salary of $630,000 (with incentives) in 2013.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick insisted that the move to sign Tebow was purely a football matter and not done to take advantage of the football star's popularity.
"Anything we do, we feel is in the best interests of the team," Belichick told the media on Tuesday. "We'll see how it goes."
Tebow's move to Foxboro reunites him with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who selected the former Heisman Trophy winner when he still was the head coach for the Denver Broncos in 2010.
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