By Anya
When Superbowl XLIV kicks off this Sunday in South Florida, the football player that has arguably received the most press in the weeks leading up to the game won’t be on the field. That’s because Tim Tebow isn’t yet an NFL player.
The former Florida Gator and past Heisman Trophy winner will have to wait until April to find out where he will be starting his professional career. One thing he won’t have to worry about in his rookie season is name recognition.
If you hadn’t heard of Tim Tebow previously, you probably have by now. Tebow and his mother, Pam, will be featured in a thirty-second commercial to be aired during the Superbowl. The ad – which reportedly cost two million dollars – was paid for by the conservative political advocacy organization, Focus on the Family. The organization is being tight-lipped about the commercial’s content. They did issue a press release indicating the Tebows will share a personal story centered on the theme of “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life.” Many believe the Tebows will share a pro-life (or anti-choice, depending on your point of view) message. In 1987, Tebow’s mother was working as a missionary in the Philippines, when she contracted amoebic dysentery, an illness that posed significant risk to her fetus. Reportedly, Mrs. Tebow was advised to have an abortion and refused. Happily, her son, Tim, was born perfectly healthy.
Abortion rights and women’s advocacy groups, such as Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women (NOW), have gone on the offensive, urging CBS to pull the ad before it airs. NOW released the following statement:
“Make no mistake about this ad: it’s offensive to women… Standing alone, it sends the message that all women who give birth are heroes; it sends a message that abortion is always a mistake; and it is insulting to the one in three women in this country who have abortions.”
Tim Tebow has kept a low profile during the controversy, but he did defend his decision to participate: “I mean, some people won’t agree with it, you know, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe…That’s the reason why I’m here because my mom is a very courageous woman.”
Others, such as Staci Fox of Planned Parenthood, sought to frame the debate in terms of the cost expenditure: “I do think that it is a shame that Focus on the Family is spending millions of dollars when people around the world and our country need so much help.”
As if abortion isn’t a divisive enough issue, other concerns have entered into the debate. Some question the Tebows’ honesty in recounting their story as Pam Tebow was in the Philippines during her pregnancy – a country where abortion is outlawed. Perhaps more concerning was the CBS decision to air the ad in the first place. In doing so, CBS reversed a long-term policy of refusing to broadcast what it deems as “advocacy” ads. Fair enough. As pro-choice columnist Rachel Sklar wrote in the Huffignton Post: “…we’re a nation of grownups, and it’s 2010. We can handle it, right?”
Yes, I think we can handle it. It seems to me that the root of the story the Tebows will be telling is about choice. Some will argue that Focus on the Family very deliberately and perhaps cynically chose the Tebows as ambassadors for their message. That may well be true, but I fail to see how sharing one family’s very personal story is an “insult” to women. Again, we are adults, correct? (And if children are watching, it seems to me this commercial has at least the potential to lead to valuable dialogue between parents and children. That’s more than can be said for the endless string of beer ads that will be also be running along the Tebows’ message).
That said, I was disappointed that CBS refused to even consider running a gay dating service commercial during the Superbowl. It doesn’t appear that CBS has a problem with running advertisements with sexual innuendo – they (and all the broadcast networks) do it all the time. So it’s hard to figure out the rationale and since CBS isn’t offering much of an explanation, the logical conclusion appears to be blatent homophobia; specifically a reluctance to possibly offend a portion of their viewing audience. Understandably, most of us won’t lose sleep because a gay dating service is being aced out of the Superbowl, however, this isn’t the first time CBS has refused to air an advertisement with a pro-gay rights message.
To sum up my feelings on the matter, I quote futher from Ms. Sklar in the Huffington Post article:
“You can’t hold yourself out as the moral guardian of the people (no gay ads! We have standards!) and the guardian of free speech (hi, Mrs. Tebow!). You can’t have it both ways — you really gotta pick.
I know, I know. Some decisions are hard. But that’s what choice is all about.”
Oh good, looks like I’m the first to comment on a controversial issue! I feel the need to tread lightly. I don’t have a problem with the Tebow ad, I know it has outraged some. Both sides of this never ending issue have should have a voice as far as I’m concerned.
I have a huge problem with the sexual innuendo in so many Super Bowl ads. Past Go Daddy ads have made my eye twitch more than once. I would like to watch the Super Bowl with my 6 yr old and not have to explain why the women are half naked or why those men are kissing. Call me un-PC or whatever you like thats just how I feel. For me, those types of commericals just aren’t appropriate for a family event.
Everybody watches the Super Bowl so those ads spots are a big deal. I don’t think I’d want to see a pro choice ad on there and I don’t want to see a pro life ad on either. I think the approach ont his ad is ridiculous. Should they get and show a mass murderer or the rapist who kidnapped and killed that little Shenia five year old and say “See, if his momma had had an abortion instead of an unwanted child this would not have happened?”
Leave the politics and religion out of the Super Bowl. The love affair with alcohol too isn’t doing our kids any favors. How about since everybody watches this game that they limit the ads to those that are appropriate for families? How sexy it is to get slobbering drunk on cheap American beer so you can feel like a macho athlete, is not something I want my kids to see either. Can’t anybody normal afford an ad these days?
Planned Parenthood has posted a response on Youtube featuring two athletes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utcxpuHF7jg
I think that’s a better route to go than trying to suppress the Tebow ad, which makes pro-choice organizations look like wannabe-censors.
I am not sure I think the ad is appropriate for the Superbowl and I am troubled by CBS’ past refusal to run controversial advocacy ads. But what’s done is done and NOW, etc. are making things worse with their stance, IMO.
Should they get and show a mass murderer or the rapist who kidnapped and killed that little Shenia five year old and say “See, if his momma had had an abortion instead of an unwanted child this would not have happened?”
Well, yeah. The other thing I wondered about was the implication that Mrs. Tebow’s choice was the correct one because she has this healthy, successful son. It’s sort of easy to say now that she made the right choice, isn’t it?
And as has been pointed out various places, Pam Tebow had a choice and she made it. Yet it appears this is a choice she wants to deny others.
(I think I come off as rabidly pr0-choice in the above and I’m actually not – I believe in safe, legal abortion because I find the alternative untenable. I have various issues with both pro-lifers and pro-choicers. I can’t stand James Dobson and am not a big fan of Focus on the Family, but I guess that’s a side issue.)
I pretty much agree with your stance on this Anya. I think we can handle it. I could handle a gay dating service commercial also. I also believe that NOW is just making things worse.
As far as statements regarding Focus on the Family “spending millions of dollars when people around the world and our country need so much help,” I think it is their right to spend their money as they see fit. I believe I read in one of the links that the money spent on this ad was donated by people specifically supporting this ad.
However, I would prefer that the Superbowl get away from all of these types of ads. I agree with previous posters that this is basically a family oriented show and children are watching. Can we just stick to Doritos commercials please?
Just to be clear, though I disdain FotF, I have no problem with them spending their money as they see fit. That’s certainly their right and it’s pointless to tell them that this isn’t a good use of it.
Pam, I totally agree that it is FOF’s right to spend their money as they see fit. I do believe I read somewhere in my research that the money FOF used had been contributed by people who specifically wanted it to go to the type of effort they are undertaking with this commercial.
I am not a fan of FOF, not so much because of the abortion issue, but because of what I believe is their anti gay acceptance stance.
I think FOF just happened to find the right spokesperson with the right back story for their commercial. I can see why CBS was comfortable with this ad – even though some consider it controversial.
Anyway, Tim Tebow is appealing and I am interested in seeing the commercial – unless I happen to be tuned to the Puppy Bowl at that moment! (We are having the Puppy Bowl again, I hope???).
Thanks to everyone who was willing to contribute to this topic.
YES! to the Puppy Bowl. I hope to watch some of it too. We considered adopting Bandit, who appears this year on the puppy bowl. We’ll be watching to see how he does.
I think any commercial supporting life and families is perfectly suitable for a family show. Frankly, I find the Tebow story heartwarming and uplifting. I can’t see what is so controversial about the choice to have a baby. Since when is that controversial?
Should they get and show a mass murderer or the rapist who kidnapped and killed that little Shenia five year old and say “See, if his momma had had an abortion instead of an unwanted child this would not have happened?”
Well, no. Babies aren’t rapists or murderers. Being an unwanted child does not dictate anyone’s path in life. Unwanted children are as valuable as every other person. All men are created equal.
We considered adopting Bandit, who appears this year on the puppy bowl. We’ll be watching to see how he does. – Ann
Not to stray off topic, but you met a puppy that is going to be in the puppy bowl?!?
How exciting. Can you tell more?
I only saw one commercial regarding this and if you blinked you would have missed it and maybe not even known what it was about.
I watched the Tim Tebow commerical expecting some “preachy” anti abortion, pro-life, controversial ad! When it was over both my husband and I said: “that’s it”! If it wasn’t for Gloria Allred,Planned Parenthood, NOW, and the media, I wouldn’t have known what the commericial was about. What those groups did is give Focus on the Family alot of free advertising!
I was reading the comments on the Huffington Post last night and since the ad was so mild,they have a new problem with the Tebows and Focus on the Family: the ad promotes violence against women and Focus on the Family condones violence against women! All this based on the fact that Tim Tebow had his Mom in a “headlock” and he “knocked her down”.
Seriously, are these people for real? It was a commercial and it was a joke.
I didn’t see the ad but my husband had much the same reaction as Holly – “That’s it? That’s what all the controversy was about?”
I have no problem with the ad, nor do I have a problem with any pro-choice or pro-life ads, in fact, pro-life is a choice, it’s just a very different choice from abortion, but it’s still a choice and I see no problem with it being celebrated and touted just as much as the abortion choice that is always championed by so many women.
I look at it much the same as I do ‘end of life’ issues, it’s a matter of personal choice based on personal beliefs. I will not step on your free will, do not step on mine.
One thing I agree very much with Jennie that she said:
“The other thing I wondered about was the implication that Mrs. Tebow’s choice was the correct one because she has this healthy, successful son.”
I personally would like to see ALL pro-life choices celebrated, ‘normal’ births, disabilities, abortion survivors (those who survived due to acts on the part of nurses and/or doctors, or mothers that change their mind after seeing that the baby survived the abortion, etc.), my personal belief is that all life should be celebrated in this manner. I’m sure there are many mothers who chose life when faced with a similar decision as Mrs. Tebow, they did not deliver such healthy babies that went on to such success, and they still celebrate their decision anyway. In fact, I know a few. But this particular ad was about THEIR story, and we have no way of knowing that Mrs. Tebow would not be celebrating her son even if he was not this healthy, successful son.
God Bless every woman and man faced with this difficult choice.
After seeing the ad, I find the uproar utterly ridiculous. War, A zillion dollar national debt ((thats the actual number, I checked), killer bees, and swine flu, but this is what we get up in arms about? Please, must’ve been a slow week in the media.
What those groups did is give Focus on the Family alot of free advertising! – Holly
After seeing the ad, I find the uproar utterly ridiculous. – Samantha
Very very true. Some of the players (Allred comes readily to mind) will do anything for publicity, however.
The only thing that was a little weird for me was that the tackle of Mrs. Tebow came on right after the tackling that occured in the Snickers ad with Betty White! Holly, I can’t believe some folks are trying to spin the commercial into something more. Geez. That is pathetic IMO.
Eileen, very nicely said. I couldn’t have said it better.
I agree Jennie. If Tim Tebow had not come out a big football star – not that I think that is the height of success by any means, look at OJ – would that mean that Mama Tebow made the WRONG decision? What if he came out mentally damaged, in a wheelchair, or she went into a coma from the birth and died- would you then work backwards to making her decision to have a child wrong? There is something wrong with looking back after you have an adult to pat yourself on the back or validate a decision you made 25 years ago, or to second guess it – that’s the point – the logic is not there. We all make a decision in our private heart to have or not have a child. Let it stay there.
I dont think everyone who has a million dollars and something to spout needs to have access to the Super Bowl either. It should not be a pulpit but if it’s to be a pulpit then let it not be a pulpit only for the Christian right, why NOT have a gay ad, it’s just another personal choice we can rub people’s nose in.
Oh well at least it was 30 seconds the beer companies weren’t drumming it into us how sexy it is to drink beer. Right!