Tim Tebow to Donald Trump: Thanks, but no thanks
Donald Trump said he wanted professional athletes to speak at his convention. But asking doesn't mean getting.
Will he, or won't he?
Late Thursday night, former Eagles quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow seemed to push back on reports that he would be speaking at the Republican National Convention, calling them "rumors."
"It's amazing how fast rumors fly. And that's exactly what it is, a rumor," Tebow said in the video, posted on Instagram.
While never fully saying he won't appear in Cleveland on behalf of Donald Trump and the Republican Party, Tebow told his followers that his preference at the moment is on his philanthropic ventures and not the world of politics.
"My goal has always been to be able to make a difference in the biggest way possible. If, one day, that's in the political realm, that's what I'll do," Tebow said. "But right now I really believe that's through my foundation."
Watch the video:
Sean Spicer, the communications director for the RNC, confirmed to CNN's Chris Cuomo on Friday morning that Tebow is "out" and will not be speaking at next week's convention.
Earlier on Thursday, The Associated Press reported that Trump's campaign confirmed Tebow's role as a featured speaker on the last day of next week's convention.
New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, who was first to report the list of scheduled speakers for the convention, defended the newspaper's reporting, saying it was sources from within the Trump campaign that confirmed Tebow's speaking role.
Tebow's name, however, did not appear on a partial list of speakers released by the RNC Thursday morning. But it promises there will be more names.
Back in June, Trump told supporters: "We're going to do it a little different, if it's OK. I'm thinking about getting some of the great sports people who like me a lot."
"He's got sponsors; he's got all of his different things that he has to do," Trump said, "and I told him not to."