Tim Tebow wants to build a legacy greater than football

(Photo: REUTERS/Danny Moloshok)

As much as former National Football League (NFL) player Tim Tebow loves football, there is something he loves and values more - and that is his charity work.

"Everyone needs to do something greater than themselves, to do something for other people," he told PEOPLE. "That's why we're here; that's why we're always looking for more ways that the Foundation can help others. I want to build a legacy that is greater than football."

Tebow founded the Tim Tebow Foundation back in 2010 in hopes of sharing "Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need."

And the football player's vision for those in need just keeps on growing - his non-profit organisation now offers Adoption Aid and Orphan Care. Their W15H programme grants the wishes of sick teens, and the charity also put up a five-storey hospital in the Philippines. Another branch of the charity is Timmy's Playroom, where they set up play areas in different hospitals to provide fun and relief to terminally ill children.

Just recently, they started the Night to Shine Prom where they treat children with special needs to a night of fun and laughter. The prom, in particular, is very special to Tebow and he was moved to tears after attending it.

"I had a mother come up to me and say, 'My daughter will never get married. She will never have children. But for this one night during the prom, she was a princess.' That just blew me away. That's why I do what I do. That's why this is my passion," he said.

Tebow added that charity work is a big part of who he is and he has promised never to stop doing it.

Of course, Tebow still finds the time to train for his other passion, which is football, and he hopes that more opportunities will open for him in the future.

"Football really means a lot to me," he said. "I wouldn't work as hard as I do if I didn't care so much about it. I train about six days a week. I'm training at the same intensity as I did when I was playing football. I've done it for my entire life and I love it. I try to be active and to keep my body in the best shape I can possibly be in."