Tebow, Meyer take tests
GAINESVILLE (AP) – Florida quarterback Tim Tebow went through more post-concussion tests Tuesday, and this time, he had his coach tagging along.
Coach Urban Meyer took several balance and memory tests with his star player because he was curious about the process.
Meyer was inundated with questions about Tebow’s recovery for a second day. Meyer said the quarterback still has a headache, but was able to attend a team meeting. Meyer said Tebow hasn’t been allowed to watch television or read, and didn’t attend practice.
Meyer also said Tebow understands the severity of his brain injury.
Tebow spent Saturday night in a Kentucky hospital after his helmet struck teammate Marcus Gilbert’s leg during a third-quarter sack against the Wildcats. Tebow dropped to the ground and lay motionless as teammates and trainers rushed to his side.
Meyer said Tebow probably would have been pulled from the lopsided game after that drive. Some have questioned why Tebow was still in the game with the Gators leading 31-7.
“Ultimately, it’s my call,” Meyer said. “If we go in and score right there, I think we do yank him out of the game, but you also want to make sure you secure the game.”
Meyer said there is no timetable for getting Tebow back on the practice field. He also made it clear Tebow could miss practice this week and next and still start the team’s next game, at LSU on Oct. 10.
Florida has not made its head athletic trainer available for interviews, but school officials said they perform baseline neurological testing on every football player. Tebow’s latest neurological test will be compared to his baseline exam to determine whether he has recovered from the concussion.
The school also uses the Balance Equilibrium Scoring System (BESS) and Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) form to evaluate players following concussion, as well as a Post-Concussion Symptom Scale.