When Tim Tebow's bid for a third national championship ended, the tears of disappointment streamed down his face for all to see.

The high definition video boards at the Georgia Dome showed the Florida quarterback breaking down. Tebow stood helplessly watching the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate as the final seconds counted down in the Crimson Tide's 32-13 victory in Saturday night's Southeastern Conference championship game.

"Obviously, I'm emotional, as you can see, after games," Tebow said. "It means a lot to me."

Tebow returned to Florida for his senior year with the intention of leading the Gators to another national championship. Perfection was his goal. He said he wanted to be a part of Florida's first undefeated season.

It wasn't to be.

And Tebow seemed to know when the curtain came down on Florida's unbeaten streak and likely his chances for a second Heisman Trophy.

It was an early fourth-quarter interception in the end zone.

Tebow had led the Gators down the field and Florida appeared ready to score, fueling momentum for a possible comeback bid. With the ball at Alabama's 6, Tebow was looking for his tight end, Aaron Hernandez in the end zone, but Alabama's Javier Arenas picked off the pass.

After the errant throw, a dejected Tebow jerked his chin straps off his helmet, then lingered on the field as the replay played inside the Georgia Dome. He then slowly walked back to the Florida sideline.

Tebow accepted responsibility for the miscue.

"I thought I could fit it in there," said Tebow of his attempted zip pass. "I should have tried to get it over his head. (Arenas) did a good job. ... It was a good play by him and a bad decision by me."

Florida coach Urban Meyer, who hurled his headset to the ground after the turnover, approached Tebow on the sideline and offered a reassuring pat on his quarterback's rear end.

The coach briefly consoled the quarterback before Tebow was left standing alone, staring at the field during a long timeout.

"He just said 'Keep your head up, you're a great player,'" Tebow said. "'You've had a great career, and just keep your head up and don't change who you are.' That's pretty much what I got from it."

Tebow, who completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to David Nelson in the second quarter, had 63 yards rushing while completing 20 of 35 passes for 247 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

Meyer said he was most disappointed for Tebow's senior class, but he made it clear he didn't want this season considered to be a letdown.