There is some controversy surrounding University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. The controversy does not include cheating, drug use or bad behavior. The controversy involves a Super Bowl commercial, with the help of Focus on the Family, containing a pro-life message. Although it has not been leaked to the press, sources say the commercial revolves around his mother’s decision years ago not to abort Tebow when she was pregnant.
Essentially, the commercial revolves around the idea of choosing life because one never knows who will be the next big star or next big quarterback.
Tebow’s commercial is not the first time a talented athlete has talked about abortion and life. In 1989, a roughly 10-minute video about abortion was produced by Wellington Mara, co-owner of the New York Giants at the time.
During the video, Mark Bavaro proclaimed, “At the end of the game, all the Giants players left the field champions. Now with the abortion death squads allowed to run rampant through our country, I wonder how many future champions will be killed before they see the light of day.”
Later in the video, George Martin compared Roe v. Wade to the Dred Scott ruling. He also said Roe v. Wade said unborn babies have no rights. Although this was not a Super Bowl commercial, they did distribute this to churches and other organizations. Although not as confrontational as the 1989 short film, Tebow’s commercial seems to be drawing in more controversy than the 1989 film did.
Those who are outraged are angry at one of two things. Some are upset with Tebow and think the commercial is inappropriate. According to National Organization for Women vice president Erin Matson, the commercial is “hate masquerading as love.”
Others are angry at CBS for going against a self-imposed rule of not airing commercials dealing with controversial topics. The network decided not to enforce this rule when it came time for Tebow’s commercial. Some of those who are upset about relaxing the rules point out there is a gay dating site called Man Crunch, which was turned down a spot during the Super Bowl.
Tebow should have his commercial on the air. The ones responsible for all the flack Tebow and CBS are receiving should calm down.
First of all, if any were to argue Tebow’s commercial is inappropriate, it is quite possible that these people have been hiding under a rock. If they have been watching modern television and still think Tebow’s commercial is inappropriate, then they probably have been hit with the rock. Of all things to call inappropriate, a commercial allegedly pleading for women to consider the future a child may have before going through with an abortion is not the most improper thing on television.
Second of all, CBS has every right to review rules and regulations they put upon themselves. As far as the Man Crunch Web site, those in charge of the Super Bowl have tried to become more family-friendly. If Man Crunch had decided not to show two grown men making out and to go with more of an eHarmony approach, maybe they would not have been denied airtime.
Lastly, of all the things to get worked up over in this country, is a commercial promoting a pro-life view really worth it?
There are some things that pro-choice believers can do if they are upset. First, if they are concerned that only one side of the argument is presented, maybe they can lobby pro-choice organizations to put up the money for a commercial next year. If they are upset with Tebow and Focus on the Family, they could just turn off the television while the commercial is on the air. If they are upset with CBS, then they should not watch the Super Bowl. It’s called television ratings and the free market; use them. Of course, if they are not willing to do this, then it really isn’t that important to begin with.
Ryan Green is a junior majoring in electrical engineering. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Editor’s note: Outgoing Florida quarterback and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is scheduled to appear in a commercial during Sunday’s Super Bowl. The commercial was made by Focus on the Family, a Christian group whose Web site describes its mission as “to strengthen, defend and celebrate the institution of the traditional family.” The exact details of the commercial have not been revealed, but it will apparently feature the story of Tebow’s mother, who ignored doctor’s advice and chose not to have an abortion when she was pregnant with him. Groups on both sides of the political aisle have risen up in opposition or support of the commercial.