Monday was moving day for the folks at Fanatics. We went from a 160,000 square footage building to 550,000. And to celebrate our new gorgeous space complete with a break room, outdoor Atrium, thirteen conference rooms, and a self-checkout marketplace stocked with our favorite snacks, sandwiches, and drinks we had a party. More than 200 employees gathered around to hear appreciation acknowledgments and the future outlook of our new brand Fanatics. Jacksonville native, Tim Tebow surprised us with a visit and even spoke on “having passion for whatever life career we choose”.

The fun continued with randomly selected employees winning gift baskets stuffed with jerseys, throw blankets, collectible items, shoes, polos, hoodies and more for ten of our most popular teams. But it was the great dessert that made it One Sweet Day.

GUEST BLOGGER: Mike M.

Florida Gators star Tim Tebow was in Jacksonville recently to sign autographs for a fundraiser for his foundation dedicated to children.

The event, hosted by Palm Beach Autographs, was held on March 6th 2010 at the Avenues Mall in Jacksonville Florida – home to yours truly and the company for which I work, Football Fanatics.

Anyway, being a Fanatic, I called up my friend Martin Buckley (a rockstar name if ever there was one) who happens to manage the Palm Beach Autographs store AND who happens to be behind the whole shindig.

So I say, “Marty, [no one else calls him that but me] how ’bout a good friend and fellow Gator hookup?”

“What was your name again?” Marty casually replied.

Realizing that this was how he was going to play it, I switched to the professional angle. You see, the Football Fanatics Avenues store is located right across the breezeway from his stellar operation and, as luck would have it, Martin knows our retail staff very well. We even sell some of Palm Beach Autograph’s merchandise on our website.

That – and my offer to give him a copy of my footage if he’d let me shoot the event – enticed him into a more hospitable mood.

Mr. Buckley was exceedingly gracious allowing me a level of access normally only afforded to heads of state and local journalists. Of course, I didn’t actually get to talk to Mr. Tebow. But I did get to film his interview with the local media. I even got my mom and my oldest son in as well by appointing them production assistants.

I also got to hang out and talk to some really great folks. Jacksonville is my adopted hometown and chatting up the good folks of the city at an event like this always makes me remember why I stay here (well…that and my wife refuses to live anywhere else).

“What was Tebow like?” friends asked me afterward. I’d say he’s the real deal – friendly, well-mannered and unfailingly nice and polite. Of course, that comes from spending about two hours a mere three feet from him and not getting to talk to him, but if you’ll settle for a fly-on-the-wall perspective, there it is.

Anyway, enjoy the 10 minute video. You’ll find shots of the signing, interviews and scenes from the event. If you love Tim Tebow, it has most of the complete media interview with him.

Thanks for checking us out and have a great day.

Tim Tebow Autograph Session and Interview

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford hasn’t played in weeks and Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow was knocked out of their 4th game with a concussion. Both players are former Heisman winners and with a little luck both players will suit up and lead their teams on Saturday.

Bradford has missed Oklahoma’s last three games with a sprained right shoulder (his throwing shoulder). The Sooners are two weeks out from their big rivalry game against Texas. It would be great if he could get in some game time work before the Texas game. “That definitely is important and something I’ve talked to [Oklahoma quarterbacks coach Josh] Heupel about,” Bradford said. “To get a game before Texas would definitely be beneficial for me and the offense.”

The Sooners are expected to announce on Thursday if Bradford will be available.

Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators has had about 10 days of rest since he was knocked out of the Kentucky game with a concussion. We just got word that Tim is at the Gator practice today in full pads and is taking non contact reps with the team. This is a very good sign he will be starting on Saturday night when the Gators travel to Baton Rouge.

In preparation of the SEC Championship game tomorrow in Atlanta, GA between the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide, I wanted to take a minute to talk to you about Tim Tebow. Tebow, aka Superman, is a local kid and attended high school just minutes from our corporate office. We know him very well in Northeast Florida.

Tim was part of the 2006 Gators National Championship, was the Heisman winner in 2007, and is looking for another National Championship this season (we’ll know if he’s one step closer come Saturday evening). Tim owns all sorts of NCAA and Florida Gator records for both rushing and passing. I can’t even count how many times he’s won an SEC Offensive Player of the Week honor.

Tim Tebow is a great student-athlete and one of the most exciting players UF has ever had. Check out the highlights below to see what I’m talking about.