Critics Ask CBS To Abort Tebow Super Bowl Commercial

Sports News - January 26th, 2010 - Written By Bryan

The Pro-life commercial to be aired by CBS during the Super Bowl, featuring NCAA Football star Tim Tebow and his mother, has come under fire. The network was asked by an association of National women's groups to pull the 30 second ad, earlier this week.

"An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year -- an event designed to bring Americans together," remarked Jemhu Greene, who is the president of the Women's Media Center.

The request was made in conjunction with the support of the National Organization for Women, among other women's groups around the country.

CBS responded to the request by saying that the network has reviewed, and approved the script slated for the slot. According to the network, they deemed the ad "appropriate for air."

The ad sparks controversy because of the alleged anti-abortion sentiment it would send. The money for message came from the group, Focus on Family, renowned for their extreme conservative views and christian faith.

"I know some people won't agree with it, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe," Tebow responded. "I've always been very convicted of it [his views on abortion] because that's the reason I'm here, because my mom was a very courageous woman. So any way that I could help, I would do it."

The thirty-second time slots for this year's Super Bowl are selling between $2.5 million and $2.8 million. Spokesman for Focus on Family, Gary Scheeberger said that the funds compiled for the commercial were contributed by several "very generous friends."

"There's nothing political and controversial about it," Schneeberger went onto say. "When the day arrives, and you sit down to watch the game on TV, those who oppose it will be quite surprised at what the ad is all about."

Schneeberger admitted that he was surprised about the dissension sparked by the emergence of the ad.

The letter received by CBS from the Women's Media Center, eluded to the fact that the network should cancel the ad, based in part because it was paid for by Focus on Family.

"By offering one of the most coveted advertising spots of the year to an anti-equality, anti-choice, homophobic organization, CBS is aligning itself with a political stance that will damage its reputation, alienate viewers, and discourage consumers from supporting its shows and advertisers," the letter claimed.

As of now, CBS plans to move forward, and run the ad as scheduled on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7th.

Gregg Doyel, a columnist for CBSSPORTS.com said that his objection to the ad is base on timing, not the message.

"If you're a sports fan, and I am, that's the holiest day of the year." he wrote in his column. "It's not a day to discuss abortion. For it, against it, I don't care what you are. On Super Sunday, I don't care what I am. Feb. 7 is simply not the day to have that discussion."