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Tim Tebow's 'pro-life' Super Bowl commercial: should CBS air it?

Tim Tebow's ad is at odds with most commercials.
Tim Tebow's ad is at odds with most commercials.
AP

Every Super Bowl Sunday, millions of Americans tune in to watch the best NFL teams in the country; however, there is also a percentage of people who just want to watch the best commercials money can buy. Over the years we've seen beer commercials involving horses, watched a monkey dance around for 30 seconds, and even been introduced to Terry Tate: Office Linebacker. Therefore, it was just a little surprising, to say the least, when I heard that Focus on the Family purchased an ad for the biggest game on TV.

In the ad, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback (and future NFL prospect) Tim Tebow is shown with his mother, talking about how "courageous" she was to go through a difficult pregnancy even when the doctors advised her to have an abortion. The ad carries with a it a pro-life message, even if it doesn't necessarily chastise anyone who is pro-choice.

On one side of the coin, it is certainly admirable for Tebow to go through with making an ad like this at this stage in his career; having such staunch political views can be polarizing to many athletes, and there's not many people out there who would stand up for their beliefs like he has and risk alienating a potential fan base. However, is the Super Bowl -- usually a place for fun and light-hearted humor -- really the right venue for the ad?

CBS has already said publicly that they plan on airing the commercial, even though the decision has been met with some criticism from those in the political arena. Regardless of one's views, the real debate here seems to be about "time and place."

Should the Super Bowl be used as a political forum, or do you think both CBS and Tebow should be admired for taking this risk? Let me know your thoughts with a comment and stay tuned for more TV news.

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Matt Carter is a poet, journalist, and screenwriter from Dallas, TX. A former reality and game show contestant, he published his first book, "Storms of Change," in May 2008. He can be reached here.

Comments

  • Bill 2 years ago

    Yes- they paid the money to air the ad, they should have that right.

  • Jay_C 2 years ago

    Yes, if the ad were for the reverse position, folks against the T.T. ad airing would have no problem with it airing.

  • jennifer 2 years ago

    I admire him and his mom for standing up for what they beleive in...she was given a "choice"....from what i understand the ad is about her choice and how it turned out...not againist abortion..and besides, they paid there 2.5 million...groups don't sgree let them take out an ad~

  • Bonnie 2 years ago

    We have the right to free speech unless someone disagrees with it? What's with that? I'm sick of the double standard that is applied to decency and right. They've paid for the ad, show it!

  • Egward 2 years ago

    Absolutely air the ad and vote PRO-LIFE!

  • Catherine 2 years ago

    I agree with Bill.

  • Theresa 2 years ago

    I guess the good ole dollar still has its way...I firmly believe we all have the right to "choose", though the superbowl isnt the place but they paid the good ole dollar...

  • Karol 2 years ago

    They should absolutely air the ad. Isn't it hypocritical for the "pro-choice" camp to deny people's right to voice an opinion that in this case a mother chose life?

  • GO CBS :) 2 years ago

    Just because the "choice" is not the same as theirs it shouldn't be heard.....give me a break!

    These pro "choice" groups are getting more absurd everyday!

    It just proves once again how anti "choice" they really are.

  • Angie W. 2 years ago

    I think it is the perfect place. It is an important message and the viewing audience is huge. I don't think time or place is an issue here.

  • Todd D 2 years ago

    Let me get this straight...we are debating whether or not a commercial that promotes not taking Human Life is appropriate...its not political, its common damn sense.

  • GO CBS :) 2 years ago

    Just because the "choice" is not the same as theirs it shouldn't be heard.....give me a break!

    These pro "choice" groups are getting more absurd everyday!

    It just proves once again how anti "choice" they really are.

  • Ashley Hartley 2 years ago

    Yes Yes Yes - amazing that no one debates or questions the beer companies using half naked women to sell their product, but mention a positive pro-life message and people go crazy! It will be a wonderful breath of fresh air to see fully clothed people endorsing something other than alcohol consumption.

  • bigdeal 2 years ago

    Why does anyone give these looneys the time of day?
    pro-choice means two things :
    1) Money - abortion is a big industry
    2) population control - can't have all those un wanteds here

    Silly you for thinking choice meant choosing between having a baby or aborting it.

  • cagedape@yahoo.com 2 years ago

    They paid their $2.3million for their ad spot. I'm going to watch it the same as I watch all the other commericals. Most of them are stupid, but this one should give us all pause.

  • Shelli 2 years ago

    Yes they should air the commercial. I am pro-life but in this case it doesn't matter. Focus on the Family paid the money just like the Budwieser paid the money. Just because someone doesn't like the TT commercial doesn't matter. I don't like the beer commercials but they still air. Should I ccause a big stink about that? It is a business transaction people.

  • Eugene 2 years ago

    Any place is the right place for free speech. BTW, just curious...whom exactly is included in "we all?"

  • Cathy 2 years ago

    Absolutely they should air the commercial. And bravo to Tim Tebow and his mom for standing up for life. What could be more important or appropriate, regardless of the forum, than standing up against murder?

  • GO CBS :) 2 years ago

    Just because the "choice" is not the same as theirs it shouldn't be heard.....give me a break!

    These pro "choice" groups are getting more absurd everyday!

    It just proves once again how anti "choice" they really are.

  • Sheelz 2 years ago

    Bravo to Focus on the Family, CBS, & Tim Tebow and his mom!!! This is a free country, and therefore superbowl commercials offer a variety of stories/sales pitches (some more questionable than others). For the Tebow commercial we aren't talking politics, we are talking LIFE!!!

  • Jenni 2 years ago

    The person who wants free choice should be thankful their mom made the moral choice

  • Dani 2 years ago

    I'm all for the airing of this ad. Even if it isn't out-right pro-life, that's the general message. It's also going to show that even if a pregnancy is difficult, for whatever reasons, that there's hope if you're willing to give it a try ^_^. So, I applaud CBS and Tim Tebow for standing up for what's right.

    P.S. Pro-life or pro-choice is less of a political issue, and more of a moral issue.

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