Focus on the Family will air a 30 second anti-choice ad that features University of Florida football star Tim Tebow, during the popular sports event, the Superbowl.
All headline news has stated the ad will be about Tebow’s mother choice not to have an abortion when she was pregnant with him. This went against her doctor’s advice, based on her complicated pregnancy.
The New York Times has written that selling “issue ads” during this sports event is unprecedented. Several women’s groups have been outspoken about their opposition to this ad. Most notably, the Center for Reproductive Rights has expressed its opposition to this ad, sanctioned by CBS.
How much will the ad cost? Well, approximately $2.8 million. The New York Daily News maintains that the money came from “very generous and committed friends.” For years now Focus on the Family has been under financial constraints. It has laid off staff for a total of six times since 2005, and recently laid off almost 8 percent of the staff in September of 2009.
Founder James Dobson announced that he will be leaving the organization to start a new organization and a new radio show, called “James Dobson on the Family.” He has been hosting a daily radio show with a loyalty of 1.5 million listeners.
I am not one of the listeners and so cannot comment on the contents of his radio show.
The controversy surrounding this ad has reached mainstream TV news stations. From watching these newscasts, I learned that Tebow wears bible verses on his football uniform. The man certainly likes to draw attention, and appearing in an anti-choice ad will bring even more attention to him.
There is something about all this that just screams “inappropriate.” These ads have no place being aired during a football game. What is wrong with CBS? Was the money just too good to be ignored?
The Center for Reproductive Rights points out that Tebow’s mother was in the Philippines when her doctor suggested ending the pregnancy, due to her serious condition. In the same paragraph the Center says that it is too bad that Philippine women do not have the same option or reproductive choice as Ms. Tebow. Abortion is illegal in that country, and the law does not allow for any exceptions, including saving the life of a mother.