CLOSE A woman was arrested for trespassing in Port St. Lucie, Florida after she refused to stay away from the Mets' facility after claiming, falsely, she was in a relationship with Tim Tebow. Time_Sports 
 
 Michelle Marie Thompson (Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO FROM PORT ST. LUCIE POLICE DEPARTMENT) 
 
 PORT ST. LUCIE — A Colorado woman charged with trespassing at First Data Field told officials she was there because she's in a relationship with Tim Tebow, according to a police report. 
 
 Michelle Marie Thompson, 36, of Arvada, Colorado, was arrested Feb. 28 and charged with trespassing, according to the report. There was a 1:10 p.m. game at the field that day against the Detroit Tigers in the third game of the New York Mets’ spring training season. 
 
 About 5 p.m. Feb. 26, New York Mets staff members reported a woman, later identified as Thompson, hanging around the complex since early in the morning and asking questions about Tebow, who had arrived that day for Minor League Baseball camp. 
 
 An officer asked the woman for her driver’s license and noticed a small sticker on the back that stated “I (heart symbol) Jesus/Tim Tebow.” 
 
 The New York Mets played the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie. The Mets won 8-7. Tim Tebow was the designated hitter. (Photo: MOLLY BARTELS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS) 
 
 When asked why she was there, Thompson said she was there to see Tebow. When asked why she wanted to see him, Thompson said she and Tebow were in a relationship. 
 
 The officer asked her what kind of relationship she was in with Tebow, and Thompson said she didn’t feel it was appropriate to answer that question. 
 
 When the officer asked again if the relationship was friendly, platonic, romantic or matrimonial, Thompson giggled and said “all of the above.” 
 
 Thompson said her Colorado address wasn’t current because she was living with Tebow in Jacksonville. 
 
 Paul Taglieri, the Mets executive director of minor league facilities, said Thompson had been walking across the complex since early that morning looking for and asking questions about Tebow, and Taglieri wanted her removed from the property. 
 
 Thompson was told to return to her vehicle and leave the area. When she asked where she should go, the officer told her it was probably best for her to leave St. Lucie County. 
 
 Two days later, on Feb. 28, Robert Kasdon, the Mets vice president of security, reported Thompson had ignored the warning and was back on the property. 
 
 The Mets had an away game against the Miami Marlins in Jupiter at 1:05 p.m. that day. 
 
 Thompson remained in the St. Lucie County Jail on Friday with a $750 bail. 
 
 Taglieri declined to comment Friday about the incidents. 
 
 The New York Mets played the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie. The Mets won 8-7. Tim Tebow was the designated hitter. (Photo: MOLLY BARTELS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS) 
 
 Tebow, a former University of Florida and NFL quarterback and Heisman trophy winner, said after Friday's game against the Houston Astros he feels safe at First Data Field, especially as someone who likes to interact with fans. 
 
 "It's not like you can do it all the time — see every fan — it's not realistic," Tebow said. "But you can try to make someone's day every day, and that's something that I look forward to, and you try to find the right people to do that — preferably who aren't selling something on eBay. 
 
 "You try to find the real fans out there, thank them for their support and try to put a smile on their face." 
 
 Mets personnel tell team members if they ever have an issue in or around First Data Field to come back to the complex or call 911, said Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson. The team also has a security meeting when the spring training season starts, he said. 
 
 He said a lot of members from visiting teams notice fans are closer to the players than they’re used to because of the way the facility is set up. 
 
 “Watching and being in the stands is one thing,” Granderson said, “but there are some places here, if you walk around, you get a sense of, 'wow, they're really close.’” 
 
 Asked how he handles distractions in situations like these, Tebow said he just tries to focus on what's next. 
 
 "I wish (Thompson) the best and pray for her (and) want her to get as much help that she needs as possible," Tebow said. "But, at the same time, as an athlete, you learn to compartmentalize. It's not always easy, but it's something that you have to try to do." 
 
 MORE TEBOW COVERAGE: 
 
 Read or Share this story: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/crime/st-lucie-county/2017/03/10/woman-arrested-trespassing-first-data-field-port-st-lucie-tim-tebow-relationship-mets/99011038/ ||||| Jayson Stark thinks it is very difficult to believe the Mets' signing of Tim Tebow to a minor league contract was just a baseball decision, calling him a marketing opportunity. (1:12) 
 
 Tim Tebow signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on Thursday and will begin his professional baseball career in the fall instructional league on Sept. 19 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. 
 
 Mets general manager Sandy Alderson insisted that signing Tebow, a former NFL quarterback, is not a publicity stunt. 
 
 "While I and the organization, I think, are mindful of the novel nature of this situation, this decision was strictly driven by baseball," Alderson said on a conference call with Tebow and agent Brodie Van Wagenen on Thursday to announce the agreement that includes a $100,000 signing bonus. "This was not something that was driven by marketing considerations or anything of the sort. We are extremely intrigued with the potential that Tim has. 
 
 "He has demonstrated over his athletic career that he is a tremendous athlete, has got character, a competitive spirit. Aside from the age (29), this is a classic player-development opportunity for us. As an organization, we're going to provide that development opportunity for Tim." 
 
 The decision nonetheless was made at the highest levels of the organization -- by Alderson and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon -- and did not intimately involve the team's baseball-operations personnel. The Mets were one of 28 teams to attend Tebow's showcase last week in Los Angeles. 
 
 Tebow acknowledged his upcoming baseball journey is "not one that will be necessarily easy." 
 
 "I know this is a tough game," Tebow said. "But I'm looking forward to putting in the work and I felt like this was the best fit." 
 
 Tebow, who hasn't played organized baseball since his junior year at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, in 2005, has been working out with former big league catcher Chad Moeller in Scottsdale, Arizona, since Memorial Day. Tebow spent almost two hours last week at the Southern California's Dedeaux Field running a 60-yard dash, shagging fly balls, throwing from the outfield and taking swings against former major league pitchers David Aardsma and Chad Smith in his audition for clubs. 
 
 Tim Tebow will report to the fall instructional league on Sept. 19, but will be excused a couple of days each week to fulfill his commitment as a college football analyst for ESPN. AP Photo/Chris Carlson 
 
 Tebow won the Heisman Trophy for the Florida Gators in 2007 and helped the team take two national championships. He played professionally for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets from 2010 to 2012. He spent training camps with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles in 2013 and 2015, respectively, but never played in the regular season for those teams. 
 
 Since 2013, Tebow has been a college football analyst for ESPN. Alderson said Tebow will be excused a couple of days each week from fall instructional league to fulfill that commitment. 
 
 "Tim is committed to his role at SEC Network and ESPN this fall," Stephanie Druley, ESPN senior vice president, event and studio production, said in a statement. "We have always been supportive of Tim's athletic pursuits. His new schedule will allow him to continue as a college football analyst on SEC Nation this fall." 
 
 Former major league pitchers Dallas Braden, who is now an ESPN analyst, and C.J. Nitkowski questioned how serious Tebow was about playing baseball based on the arrangement to give him excused days off each week. 
 
 Wonder how the kid who doesn't get to go to instructs feels about Tebow breaking down a defense as opposed to taking hacks or fly balls... — Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) September 8, 2016 
 
 I was on board with this #Tebow thing until I read he will miss multiple days per week in instructional league to do TV. No longer serious. — CJ Nitkowski (@CJNitkowski) September 8, 2016 
 
 After Tebow participates in the fall instructional league, which primarily is for teenage prospects, Alderson is not ruling out sending Tebow to the Arizona Fall League or a winter league. First, the Mets want to better gauge Tebow's readiness and determine whether it would be more beneficial to receive individual instruction during the offseason. 
 
 Even if Tebow never reaches the majors, Alderson insisted this is a win for the Mets because of the example Tebow's work ethic and character will set for the minor leaguers. 
 
 Still, Alderson insisted Tebow has on-field potential. 
 
 "Any player evaluation starts with tools," Alderson said. "From that standpoint, without grading everything out, suffice it to say Tim has been a great athlete. He has demonstrated more than rudimentary baseball skills. We think, with his commitment to success, that this is an opportunity that is worthwhile. 
 
 "In terms of power, in terms of arm, in terms of foot speed, all of those things, we think he can be a baseball player. I think that is underscored by his competitiveness and his determination to succeed and to improve. From our standpoint, this is another opportunity for us to develop a player and see where it goes. We understand most players don't make it to the major leagues." 
 
 Alderson said there's no guarantee Tebow will be invited to major league camp during spring training. He also added Tebow's signing is a "standalone proposition" and unrelated to Van Wagenen representing other Mets clients, including Yoenis Cespedes -- who has an opt-out this winter -- as well as Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom. 
 
 "Brodie represents a number of players on our team," Alderson said. "But in the course of our conversations regarding Tim, none of those players were mentioned, none were in mind. I think Brodie is professional enough to keep all of those things separate." 
 
 The Mets will not be able to capitalize on Tebow's fame from a marketing standpoint, either. For that to happen, Tebow must be added to the team's 40-man roster and sign the group licensing agreement. MLB.com and Mets.com, in fact, are rejecting any fan who tries to make a custom Tebow jersey through the website. 
 
 Tebow said he came close to pursuing baseball a year ago, but the Eagles' interest tabled it. 
 
 "It's been something that I've been thinking about for a little while and came close to pulling the trigger on last year," Tebow said. "Then, actually, when I was in the middle of going through a day of training for baseball, [then-Eagles coach] Chip Kelly called and then I had to figure that out. ... We all know how that turned out." 
 
 Former Broncos teammate Eric Decker, now with the New York Jets, said he "expected" Tebow to be signed. 
 
 "When you have 30 scouts coming to your workout, someone is going to sign you," Decker said. "We'll see how he does next spring in whatever camp it is. Best of luck to him. 
 
 "I believe Tim has a big heart and he's a good person. He's such a competitor that this is an outlet for him. But from the outside, I can see how it looks as a publicity stunt. I mean, he's got a good gig right now with the SEC Network. I'm sure he could do a daily talk show if he wanted. He's well-liked. I think this is him being competitive, wanting to get that fire again." 
 
 Asked about his preferred position, Tebow said he'll take his cue from the organization. But he noted he's a lefty thrower, so there's a limit. 
 
 "My best position is whatever they feel like it is," he said. "I feel comfortable in the outfield. I feel comfortable at first base." 
 
 What would Tebow deem success during his baseball pursuit? Is it major leagues or bust? 
 
 "I would consider success giving everything I have," he said. 
 
 Decker said that's the kind of teammate that Tebow has been in the past and what he expects him to be in the future. 
 
 "Guys will have to respect what he's done during his tenure in the NFL and who he is and the college football player he was. There's going to be mixed emotions (among his new teammates), I'm sure," Decker said. "He's going to be a good teammate. I think he's going to be very respectful. 
 
 "He's not going to come in with a chip on his shoulder or (say), 'I'm Tim Tebow, here's the red carpet.' He's not that type of guy in my experience. Guys will respect his work ethic and the person." 
 
 ESPN's Darren Rovell and Rich Cimini contributed to this report. ||||| The Mets have signed former NFL quarterback and now aspiring pro baller Tim Tebow to a minor league contract, the team confirmed Thursday. (Published Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016) 
 
 What to Know "I just want to be someone to pursue what I believe in, what I'm passionate about," Tebow says 
 
 MLB scouts seemed impressed with his 60-yard dash time and muscled physique, but noted he still has much work to do 
 
 The former Heisman-winner won a playoff game with the Denver Broncos and didn't do much in his stint with the Jets as a backup quarterback 
 
 The Mets have signed former NFL quarterback and now aspiring pro baller Tim Tebow to a minor league contract that includes a $100,000 signing bonus, the team confirmed Thursday. 
 
 The national sports phenom and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback will head to the Mets Instructional League in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Sept. 18 to start his professional baseball career, the team said. 
 
 "While I and the organization are mindful of the novel nature of this situation, this decision was strictly driven by baseball," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said during a conference call. 
 
 "This was not something that was driven by marketing considerations or anything of the sort. We are extremely intrigued with the potential Tim has." 
 
 Last week, the 29-year-old Tebow worked out for nearly 50 scouts from 28 Major League Baseball teams, including the Mets, in Los Angeles as he embarked on yet another chapter in his unique athletic story. 
 
 The outfielder went through drills at the University of Southern California's Dedeaux Field for more than an hour, confidently chasing a dream deferred for 12 years. Declaring his football career essentially over, the 255-pound left-hander insists he is serious about becoming more than a baseball curiosity. 
 
 Tebow, who once led the Denver Broncos to a hail mary playoff win and whose plane was tracked by media nationwide when he flew to New York to sign a deal with the Jets as a backup quarterback, hasn't played baseball regularly since his junior year of high school. He left early to enroll at Florida, beginning a fabled college football career that led to the 2007 Heisman and two national titles for the Gators. 
 
 Celebs in the Stands: World Series Game 7 
 
 But 12 years ago, Tebow was a .494-hitting, all-county outfielder who loved hitting a baseball every bit as much as he loved leading a huddle. 
 
 "The second-hardest decision I ever made was giving up baseball to go to the University of Florida and play football," Tebow, whose choice of Florida over Alabama was the toughest, said last week. "There wasn't a season that went by that it wasn't something that I thought about. When I felt like I had this opportunity, I wanted to take it and pursue it with everything I had." 
 
 "The goal would be to have a career in the big leagues," Tebow added. "I just want to be someone to pursue what I believe in, what I'm passionate about. A lot of people will say, 'But what if you fail? What if you don't make it?' Guess what? I don't have to live with regret. I did everything I could. I pushed it. I would rather be someone that could live with peace and no regret than what-if, or being scared." 
 
 Top Sports Photos 
 
 Copyright Associated Press / NBC New York
– On Feb. 26, the day Tim Tebow arrived for the New York Mets' Minor League Baseball camp at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla., a woman arrived at the stadium early in the morning, hung around all day, and asked lots of questions about Tebow. That prompted staff members to report her to police, but 36-year-old Michelle Marie Thompson had an explanation when they arrived to question her: She told them she's in a relationship with Tebow, TCPalm reports. Making her story even more believable: Police reported that they found a sticker on her driver's license reading, "I [heart symbol] Jesus/Tim Tebow." But, when police asked the Colorado woman to specify what type of relationship she meant, she said it wouldn't be appropriate to say; when asked if it was a friendly, platonic, romantic, or matrimonial relationship, she claimed "all of the above" while giggling. She went so far as to claim that her current address was the same as Tebow's in Jacksonville, because they live together, and she gave police a Jacksonville address, Action News Jax reports. Police told her to leave the stadium and not return, but two days later she allegedly did; she was arrested that time and charged with trespassing.