Christian athlete Tim Tebow has announced his retirement from professional baseball.

Tebow, a former NFL quarterback, transitioned to a career in baseball in 2016 playing for the New York Mets, the Christian Post reports.

In a tweet shared Wednesday, Tebow thanked the organization, team president Sandy Alderson, his fans, and his teammates for an experience he "loved every minute" of, but says he now feels "called in other directions.

"I never want to be partially in on anything," Tebow says. "I always want to be 100 per cent in on whatever I choose."

I want to thank the @Mets, Mr. Alderson, the fans and all my teammates for the chance to be a part of such a great organization. I loved every minute of the journey, but at this time I feel called in other directions...

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 18, 2021

Alderson says it has "been a pleasure" to have Tebow in the organization in a statement released by the Mets.

"He's been a consummate professional during his four years with the Mets," Anderson says.

"He far exceeded expectations when he first entered the system in 2016 and he should be very proud of his accomplishments."

At age 29, Tebow first signed with the Mets, following a career of substantial accomplishments the NFL as a former first-round draft pick and winner of the Heisman Trophy. From 2010 to 2012, Tebow played for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets.

Tebow hadn't played baseball since high school when he was signed in Sept. 2016.

"Thank you again for everyone's support of this awesome journey in baseball, I'll always cherish my time as a Met," Tebow says.

Tebow held a .223 batting average in his three minor league seasons and scored 18 home runs, 48 doubles, and stole five bases in his 287 games.

The athlete played for several minor league affiliate teams to the Mets and attracted a large number of fans.

His retirement from baseball is the latest in a series of career chapters.

I never want to be partially in on anything. I always want to be 100% in on whatever I choose. Thank you again for everyone’s support of this awesome journey in baseball, I’ll always cherish my time as a Met! #LGM

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 18, 2021

Tebow is known for his faith, often kneeling to pray before playing in NFL games and writing Bible verses in his eye black. 

Tebow, who was the son of missionaries in the Philippines, founded the Tim Tebow Foundation, which specializes special needs ministry, orphan care and prevention, children with profound medical needs, and anti-human trafficking work. The organization aims to "serve children and share God's love."

He often appears on ESPN and SEC programming and has been listed as a New York Times bestselling author three times.

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