Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad: Banned from the Super Bowl?
Controversial Ad Creates Questions for Fans, CBS, and Super Bowl Officials
As news begins to leak out about the focus of the Tim Tebow ad, the New York Daily News reports that several women's groups, including the Women's Media Center, the National Organization for Women, and the Feminist Majority, find the commercial divisive and not appropriate for a sporting event that is supposed to bring people together.
Who is the Sponsor of the Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad?
In a first-time move for the organization, the not-for-profit Christian organization Focus on the Family decided to produce the ad entitled "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life" and purchase ad time during the Super Bowl where 30-second ad rates run from $2.5 to $2.8 million.
The Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad tells the story of Tim's mother, Pam, who contracted a bacterial infection while pregnant with Tim. Pam became critically ill and was advised to abort the baby, but refused. Instead that child grew up to be the freakishly gifted athlete who millions have enjoyed watching play through an outstanding college career -- a career that is projected to continue on its current track into the pros.
Not to mention, Tim Tebow seems to be an all-around good guy, a trait we've seen little of in our sports heroes during the past few months.
Should CBS Reject the Tim Tebow Ad?
Many are not aware that all national networks, including CBS, have policies in place that rule out the airing of ads that are viewed as advocating a specific position on controversial subjects. An ad for the United Church of Christ was not given airtime in 2004 by CBS based on these policies. Ironically, this ad actually fell along more liberal lines as it was welcoming of gays and others into the church's fold.
After facing tough criticism over the United Church of Christ ad, CBS may be trying to make up for previous perceived wrongs. If so, then the Focus on Family organization couldn't have chosen two better spokespersons than Tim Tebow and his mother to carry its message to the masses.
Florida Fans and Residents Weigh In on Tim Tebow's Super Bowl Ad
Some fans have already focused on Facebook to make their views known. A "Pull the Tim Tebow Ad and We Will Pull the Plug on Watching the Super Bowl" and "In Support of the Tim Tebow Ad at the Super Bowl" pages have already sprung up on Facebook.
A quick survey of comments filtering to the online sites for The Gainesville Sun, The Jacksonville Florida Times-Union, and The Orlando Sentinel find that most people believe that Tim Tebow has a right to express his beliefs - even at the Super Bowl. While many are concerned that the Super Bowl is no place for politics and wonder what future ads can be expected if this one is aired, others find it surprising that a Christian organization, a non-profit, would spend so much money on a one shot ad. Couldn't that money be used more efficiently in directly helping people?
Regardless, most commenters respect the fact that Tim Tebow has never shied away from expressing his beliefs in a courteous manner; that Tim Tebow has always stood up for what he believes.
One commenter (Lemmy) at the Gainesville Sun web site may have summed the dilemma up the best when he expressed the feeling that "I'm pro choice, but I can't imagine a good reason to get upset at a woman saying "I'm glad I kept my baby."
After reading columnist George Diaz's views at the Orlando Sentinel you can vote to express your opinion or just see what others think.
Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad: Where Do You Stand?
Some may argue that an ad that focuses on pro-life has no place in the football game. However, in previous years we've been subjected to wardrobe malfunctions of the highest order and Go Daddy commercials that titillate and send us to their website to "see more" of whatever scantily-clothed model or sports figure is featured in their ad.
While the Go Daddy ad may fit the demographic of most football games, it can be argued that the Super Bowl game, more than any other football game of the year, should be open to more ads that feature the ideas of all the people who may be watching.
What do you think?
Sources:
Joe Tacopino, "Women's groups protest Tim Tebow's pro-life Super Bowl ad for Focus on the Family," NewYorkDailyNews.com
Michael DiRocco, "Tim Tebow's Super Bowl ad could generate controversy," Jacksonville.com
Swamp Things, "Tebow to appear in Super Bowl ad with Christian message," OrlandoSentinel.com
George Diaz, "Tebow already a Super Bowl star?", OrlandoSentinel.com
The Associated Press, "CBS urged to scrap Super Bowl Ad with Tebow, mom," The Gainesville Sun, Gainesville.com
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Published by K. Bellamy
When not handling freelance writing assignments, K.Bellamy likes traveling to nearby Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida. Purchasing a fixer-upper means tackling home improvement projects and gardeni... View profile
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14 Comments
Post a CommentI find it ironic that the N.O.W organizations will protest against Pro life commercials during the super bowl but not protest against the humiliation of women in Go Daddy ads during the previous super bowls. How hypocritical that they can parade women as sex objects in cheerleading uniforms on side lines and in Go Daddy commercials and strip down their dignity and N.O.W has no complaints but talk against their right to murder and they’re ready to fight. Run the darn commercial!!!
The ad will provide some offset to a medical culture that views abortion so blithely - - what is wrong with encouraing CHOICE - choose life.
To the so called "pro life" posters, you're all major hypocrites. You only support free speech when it represents your side. You completely support CBS's censorship of UCC's add because they don't ban gays from their churches like Focus on the Family does. And BTW, Focus on the Family is not pro-life, just pro birth. If they were pro-life, their would support health care for all, as well as reliable, affordable birth control. As it is, they & the rest of you could not care less if the woman was a victim of rape or incest, or if the mother & child both die, as long as it's not by abortion.
And as for free speech ? Where were you when CBS was censoring PETA or UCC ? Where was your moral outrage then ?
But what it really boils down to is this; Focus on the Family & Tebow don't just want to express an opinion. They, and the rest of the "pro lifers" want to legislate their religious beliefs and force them on women. Tebow & his mom are saying that they would rather see a wo
I can't understand what all the hype is about. There is so much "garbage" advertising on TV, it will be refreshing to see a decent, heartwarming, true story with a happy ending.
I wasn't going to watch the super bowl, but I am now!
I was truly amazed at how ridiculous N.O.W. looks in this debate. This is one of those situations where silence is a far better strategy for them.
It's simple, if CBS doesn't announce that that have pulled the ad, and won't be showing it during Super Bowl, a huge, and I mean HUGE facebook group will be either not watching the game at all. Or have vowed to hit "previous" on our remotes and switch to another channel the second a break in game coverage happens.
If CBS is not willing to comprehend that half the country finds an ad on this type completely out of place during Super Bowl, then maybe all the other companies who will watch the viewer rating drop at every break will let CBS know what a monumental mistake it was....
I say no. With all due respect to Tim Tebow and his family, sports should NEVER be a platform for political or religious advertising. How would "Focus on the Family" react if there was an ad for an abortion clinic running at the Superbowl? They'd freak out, and you know it. How would the Democrats react if there was a political ad from a Republican (or visa versa) running during the Superbowl, or the Olympics or any other sporting event? Ballistic is the best word that comes to mind. The ad is inappropriate for a sporting event, just as much as an ad for an abortion service would be inappropriate for a sporting event.
Run the ad! I get sick of organizations/individuals who whine about being "offended" every time they encounter views which differ from their own. What an infantile notion that the world is supposed to revolve around them & THEIR comfort zone! (Most of us learned better than that in kindergarten.) What about the the fact that they are offending the REST OF US by trying to silence OUR views?
Go Tim. We support you and your Mom.
Let the pro-death people rant all they want. Run the commercial. The money spent on that commercial may save more lives than you could imagine.