Tim Tebow responds to Twitter-bomb, calls high-schooler in car crash; Missy Franklin and diver Tom Daley also flooded with requests; Update: Franklin calls injured student

adambrickley | 10:38 PM on December 03, 2012

Students at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, N.Y., initiated a massive Twitter-bomb today, using the hashtag #TebowCallMatt to elicit a phone call from New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow to an injured student. Matthew Hardy, 17, was seriously injured yesterday in a car crash with a drunk driver.

Thanks to everyone who got #TebowCallMatt trending & helped connect us. Matt truly inspired me. God bless y'all

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) December 4, 2012

https://twitter.com/chilltweetss/status/275784463542276096

Hardy’s brother expressed gratitude for all the support, and made a point of not telling his brother about it until the call came.

This is such a blessing. You all are amazing! #TebowCallMatt

— Mike Hardy (@mike_hardy5) December 4, 2012

https://twitter.com/mike_hardy5/status/275780265408880640

Two of Hardy’s fellow students, Christopher Stewart and Deanna Rivers, did not survive the crash. Another student, Bailey Wind, was also severely injured. Students are also Twitter-bombing on Wind’s behalf, targeting Olympic swimmer Missy Franklin and English diver Tom Daley with the hashtags #MissyCallBailey and #DaleyCallBailey. There is no word from Franklin or Daley as of this writing.

https://twitter.com/aferrarese123/status/275795250214219777

As for Tebow, tweeters are ecstatic that he responded.

Wow! #518 making history Tim Tebow called Matt now #missycallbailey

— Becky Sail (@BSail12) December 4, 2012

https://twitter.com/KarinBeswick/status/275771833796681728

https://twitter.com/xxalannnna611/status/275794181518147584

ESPN ANNOUNCED THAT TEBOW WILL CALL MATT!! In a matter of about 2 hours, my hometown got #TebowCallMatt trending around the country.

— Julia Ehler (@JEhler28) December 4, 2012

Wow. It only took two hours for #TebowCallMatt to trend nationwide, get picked up on @espn and become #TebowCALLEDMatt. So cool.

— Cy Serrano (@cyserrano) December 4, 2012

Update:

Success! Missy Franklin called Bailey Wind:

Called Bailey and left her a voicemail. Would still love to talk to her. Bailey and her community are in my thoughts and prayers #staystrong

— Missy Franklin Johnson (@missyfranklin) December 4, 2012

Here’s hoping she’s able to connect with Bailey.