In an interview this week, former professional football and baseball player and devout Christian Tim Tebow explained that human trafficking is “such a focus for me because we believe this is one of the greatest evils in the world today,” describing his foundation’s efforts against it.
Tebow told Fox News Digital, “It is something that I feel we are called to, our team is called to.”
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”And in a macro sense, we are really called to help the most vulnerable people around the world, and these are some of the most vulnerable people,” he added.
Tebow, who has been open about his faith, explained that the issue “is something that has been very near and dear to my heart and Demi’s heart. And we both feel we are called in different times and different ways to it, but for both of us, it’s such a passion for us,” referring to his wife Demi-Leigh Tebow.
“So many girls and boys and women and even some men are trapped in this horrible evil,” he added. “It’s not just the idea of human trafficking that is so horrific,” Tebow continued. “It’s the human exploitation of children” that he said must end.
“Ever since my eyes were first opened to this evil almost a decade ago, this is just something that’s been a huge calling for me. And it’s something I know we’ll be on for a long time,” he said.
Tebow said that the goal is to make a difference globally, not limiting the foundation’s work to the United States.
“One of our nonnegotiables is that we’re on a rescue mission because we believe that Christ was on a rescue mission for us, and we’ve got to be on a rescue mission for humanity,” he said.
For Tebow’s 35th birthday on Sunday, the foundation is raising money, with a goal of receiving $700,000 in donations. Thus far, the fund has received $327,971.
“It is our hope and our prayer that every single one of these brave survivors achieves sustainable freedom, true healing from the Lord, and real hope for the future. But right now, they need our protection. In honor of Tim Tebow’s 35th birthday, we invite you to join with us on our mission to protect up to 40 survivors of trafficking and exploitation in Thailand — survivors considered at-risk while their traffickers undergo prosecution,” according to the foundation’s website.
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Tebow rose to fame after playing football at the University of Florida. He eventually played professionally on both the Denver Broncos and New York Jets. Later on, he played minor league baseball in the New York Mets organization.