Women's group upset by anti-abortion message Brad Biggs
MOBILE, Ala.—Tim Tebow took some flak for his performance in the first day of practices at the Senior Bowl, and now he’s catching some more off the field.
A national coalition of women’s groups is trying to influence CBS to dump a Super Bowl ad featuring the quarterback and his mother, one that an Associated Press report claims will likely include an anti-abortion message and will cost between $2.5 million and $2.8 million.
“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," Jemhu Greene, president of the New York-based Women's Media Center, told the Associated Press.
Several prominent women’s groups, including NOW and the Feminist Majority, bare on board with the protest, but the report states that CBS has given approval for the 30-second ad during Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7. A CBS spokesman called the ad “appropriate for air.”
In one of the most coveted time slots of the year for advertisrers, the ad, which is being sponsored by the Christian group Focus on the Family, will share the story of Pam Tebow’s pregnancy in 1987 when she ignored doctors suggestions she get an abortion and had her fifth child after falling ill during a mission in the Phillipenes.
"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 said. "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."
"There's nothing political and controversial about it," Gary Schneeberger, a spokesman for Focus on the Family, told the AP. "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 women’s protest group seemed upset with Focus on the Family as much as it was upset with the ad.
"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," a letter of protest read.
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" "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 America together."..Jemhu Green
Wow!! Is that a LAME EXCUSE! If it's an ad that you don't agree with for political or moral reasons say so but this excuse is just whineing . Considering we had to put up with womans douches and erectile disfunction on television commercials DEAL WITH IT!
It would be hilarious if that ad is bookended by ads for Booze and Viagra - get loaded, get pregnant, have a baby. Ha!
I'm a liberal and I don't give a crap if they run this ad and I don't care if Tebow wants to keep it in his pants until he gets married. Ra-ra-sis-boom-ba.
Will the NFL let Tebow wear his biblical eye patches?
They paid for the space, but tell me "Carn" and "Winning"; would you be thrilled with a player advocating for mandatory abortions for all christians brought to you by the "united church of Satan"? I am guessing that you don't have a real problem with the ad in question because the philosophy is not too different than your own.
How about a player pointing to the ground to give Satan credit for a touchdown? How about gang symbols written on his glare patches? I doubt that the NFL would tolerate a player advancing these whack job philosophies on the back of their national exposure. Why should christian whack jobs get a free pass?
x24......................First off NO ONE IS ADVOCATING MANATORY ANYTHING SO GET OVER IT! And secondly ALL THE EXAMPLES you gave in your second paragraph refer to PLAYER CONDUCT. (IE:gang patches,pointing to the ground to give credit to the devil etc) The LEAGUE HAS SPECIFIC RULES AGAINST PLAYERS WEARING MESSAGES,TAUNTING OR SHOWBOATING.(IE: Jim McMahon head band,Ocho Chinco antics etc.) The story refers to THE NETWORKS WHO IN THIS DAY AND AGE SEEM TO HAVE MORE INFLUENCE OVER LEAGUE POLICIES WHEN IT COMES TO BROADCASTING. Your choice of comparisons are weak and are no arguement.
You seem to have tolerance for different views on politics and lifestyes but your tolerance seems to be a one way street where you don't have any tolerance for others views especially since we don't even know the content of the ads.
personally i believe a person has a right to make the choice, but i also believe that the christian group has the right to advertise their beliefs and tell their story and if they pay for the spot then by all means. if i do not like the spot or agree with it, i'm free to change to channel or press the mute button.
personally i believe a person has a right to make the choice, but i also believe that the christian group has the right to advertise their beliefs and tell their story and if they pay for the spot then by all means. if i do not like the spot or agree with it, i'm free to change to channel or press the mute button.
COME ON PEOPLE NO ONE IS MAKIN' U WATCH THIS!!!!!!!!HOW HARD IS TO CHANGE THE CHANNEL OR TURN OFF THE TV..................WE ALL HAVE VIEWS THATS WHAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE, BUT IM NOT GOING TO GO MAKE A BIG FUSS ABOUT IT. GET OVER IT AND ITS TIME THEY GOT OVER WHAT IS BOTHERING THEM TO MAKE A FUSS ABOUT THIS.......
Stupid argument , advertiser pays for the ad and states whatever they please period !! These idiots that think their point of view is the only one that should be put forward are the same fools who want to tell us all what to think , do ,and say . Get a life !!
Dale j, while I agree with what you said in principal, somehow I doubt that CBS would show an ad by Osama Bin Laden advertising his beliefs whether he paid for it or not. From a practical point of view, CBS will only show ads if they think that a significant majority accept this or that it won't be too controversial.
Run the ad, it is a point of view.
What are NOW and the "Feminist Majority" afraid of?
Between the Go Daddy adds with Danica Patrick with her jump suit open and the ED ads maybe it is OK to have something that is thought provoking
i don't have a problem with the ad, Yawn! but I do have a problem with a QB that will not make it as a QB in the pros for lack of skills so say the( NFL scouts) get any more publicity than he has already received . This kid has been over hyped from the word go.
Weatherspoon projects as an outside linebacker in the NFL, although he could be a fit for 3-4 teams on the inside. The versatility will make him attractive as a potential high selection.
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Jan 26, 2010
08:49 AM
Quoted: ...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,"
One might suggest that CBS already did that during the election of President Zero but ... nah, never mind. :)