Tebow Super Bowl Ad Stirs Controversy Amongst Women's Groups

CBS is set to run a controversial Super Bowl Ad centered around the decision made by Tim Tebow's mother to refuse an abortion when she was pregant with him. Doctors at the time encouraged an abortion due to an illness she experienced while on a mission trip to the Philippines. Tebow later went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2007.

Paid for by Focus on the Family, backers say they find nothing offensive or controversial about the ad and insiste they are simply celebrating families.

"Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for $2.5 million to $2.8 million. Gary Schneeberger, a spokesman for Focus on the Family, said funds for the Tebow ad were donated by a few "very generous friends" and did not come from the group's general fund. Schneeberger said he and his colleagues "were a little surprised" at the furor over the ad. "There's nothing political and controversial about it," he said. "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." The protest letter from the Women's Media Center suggested that CBS should have turned down the ad in part because it was conceived by Focus on the Family."

Nina's Commentary: A couple of things come to mind. One being Freedom of Speech. Two being a person/groups intentions and hidden motivations. While I absolutely support the right of people expressing their personal truths, on platforms both public and private, I also firmly believe there is a hidden agenda behind this ad and it is this hidden agenda that leaves me thinking this ad should be pulled. Focus on the Family is staunchly against such things as abortion and gay marriage. If these folks had their way, abortion would be outlawed and gays and lesbians would never be allowed to marry (much less enter heaven upon their death). Therefore, I am not convinced of the organization's expressed surprise over the controversy being shown, nor am I convinced there is nothing political behind the ads, and nor am I convinced it's an ad created to simply celebrate families. If that were the case, air ads showing players bbq'ing with their families. Air ads showing blended and non-traditional families thriving. But keep what is obviously a controversial and political topic off the airwaves, especially during such highly televised events. If Focus on the Family were to be honest and say behind this ad is an agenda to outlaw abortion, then I would at least feel more comfortable in saying "go ahead and air it".