Florida QB Tim Tebow released from Kentucky hospital following overnight observation

Florida’s Tebow released from Kentucky hospital

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has been released from a Lexington, Ky., hospital, about 12 hours after taking a hard hit to the head against Kentucky.

Coach Urban Meyer said Sunday that Tebow sustained a concussion when he was sacked by defensive end Taylor Wyndham in the third quarter Saturday night. Tebow’s head struck teammate Marcus Gilbert’s leg, violently bending his neck forward.

“Tim is doing fine this morning,” Meyer said in a statement. “His CT scans came back and indicated that Tim suffered a concussion. Our medical and athletic training staff will continue to monitor him to determine how much rest and recovery he needs. We will have additional information and updates this week.”

Tebow was traveling back to Gainesville on Sunday morning.

The top-ranked Gators (4-0) are off next week, then play at LSU on Oct. 10. It might be several days, maybe even longer, before Tebow’s status becomes clearer for what could be the toughest game on the defending national champions’ schedule.

It would be even tougher without Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and the heart and soul of the Gators.

But his release surely was welcome news for Florida fans who watched Tebow lay motionless on the field at Commonwealth Stadium.

The Gators were leading 31-7 and driving deep in Kentucky territory when Tebow was sacked. Tebow eventually sat up with some help, then slowly made his way off the field. Florida’s medical staff attended to him on the bench and his parents came down from the stands to join him.

He started vomiting — a common symptom of concussions — and was carted off the field. About a dozen Gators fans showed up at the University of Kentucky Medical Center after the game, standing outside in the rain and wishing the best for Tebow.

The injury ended what had been another impressive performance from the senior. He ran for 123 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and threw for 103 yards and a score — numbers that seemed unimportant the second he hit the turf.

Oddly, his day began with questions about his health.

Tebow was one of several Gators who took a separate plane to Lexington because of respiratory and congestion issues, leading to speculation he wouldn’t play.

If Tebow wasn’t feeling well, it didn’t show. He walked off the field following pregame warmups trading head slaps with teammate Brandon Spikes and nearly sprinted into the huddle on Florida’s first possession.