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Bob Tebow, the father of college football legend and former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, has died at the age of 78, his son announced in a post shared on his social media accounts Friday (April 24).
"Heaven ushered in a hero of the faith last night as my Dad was welcomed home! Many will say sorry for your loss but the truth is he’s not lost, we know exactly where he is. He’s home. Forever! I asked him last week what he looked forward to most about Heaven, and he simply said, 'Jesus.' He couldn’t wait to see Jesus face to face. Praise God that his wait is over. Death has been swallowed up in victory. He’s healed and whole now. So we don’t mourn as those with no hope. See you soon Dad!" the post states.
Tim initially announced that his father was battling Parkinson's disease in an interview with PEOPLE in 2016.
"My dad has Parkinson's disease," he said at the time. "It wasn't a good night. I got really emotional."
Bob was a man of deep faith, moving his family to the Philippines in an effort to spread the Gospel of Christianity in 1985, where his son was born in 1987 before the family moved back to the United States.
"When you see Dad in a third-world country with hurting people, you're like, 'that's what he's meant to do,'" Tim told PEOPLE in 2016. "It's his most comfortable place to be in the world."
Bob returned to the Philippines to continue his missionary work after his diagnosis. The 78-year-old is survived by his wife, Pam, his four children and his grandchildren. Tim Tebow was a two-time national champion and a Heisman Trophy winner during his decorated collegiate career at the University of Florida before being selected by the Denver Broncos in the first-round of the 2010 NFL Draft, going 8-6 in 14 career starts and throwing for 2,422 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while also recording 989 yards and 12 touchdowns on 197 rushing attempts in three seasons.