Tim Tebow, Mother's Super Bowl Ad To 'Celebrate Life'

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tim Tebow is taking his star power to sport's biggest stage.

The former Florida quarterback and his mother will appear in a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl next month. The Christian group Focus on the Family says the Tebows will share a personal story centering on the theme "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life."

The group isn't releasing details, but the commercial is likely to be an anti-abortion message chronicling Pam Tebow's 1987 pregnancy. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner ended his college career with several NCAA, Southeastern Conference and school records, and two national championships. Tebow also has been very involved in his family's Christian-based ministry.

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, said the commercial comes at a time when "families need to be inspired."

"Tim and Pam share our respect for life and our passion for helping families thrive," Daly said. "Focus on the Family is about ... strengthening families by empowering them with the tools they need to live lives rooted in morals and values."

Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million. Daly said all the funds for the ad came from a handful of "very generous and committed friends," and that no money from the group's general fund was used.

"Now that the ad has been shot, we're excited to tell people it's coming because the Tebows' story is such an important one for our culture to hear," he said. "You won't want to miss it."

Comments

[Principaldad]

12:10 PM on 02/08/2010

"The group isn't releasing details, but the commercial is likely to be an anti-abortion message chronicling Pam Tebow's 1987 pregnancy."

Now that we have seen the commercials, it is obvious that HP was wrong about this. The ad was most definitely not "anti-abortion". It wasn't even really pro-life. This type of conjecture doesn't do the pro-choice movement any favors. It makes them look intoIerant, unreasonabIe, and p.etty. It was an attempt to stifIe the free speech of a group merely because you don't agree with their point of view.

I can't stand Dobson or his group. Unfortunately though, it is the pro-choice movement that came out on the losing end of this one.

[Principaldad]

12:14 PM on 02/08/2010

What is even more troubling is that subsequent articles on this matter are "fulIy mo.d.er.ated". One article that was open before the ads aired is now locked down. Comments that try to point out what I just said above rarely are allowed to post. In the past, I have always praised this site for allowing open conversation. Unfortunately, that poIicy is now being reversed for certain topics.

[Nooance]

12:20 AM on 02/06/2010

Tasteless and inappropriate. Don't think you've got me, or us, for life either. Used to be baseball fan until McQuire and the other steroid inflated phonies ruined it. Haven't watched a game since. If football becomes another extension of the pervasivenes of religion and politics, or religious politics or political religion into our daily life, I'll drop football the same way.

[Healthwatch2010]

01:00 PM on 02/04/2010

Pro-lifers have every right to defend life.

Pro-choicers has every right to defend choice.

http://www.prolifeproobama.com/

[chubby06]

12:15 AM on 02/04/2010

what Dr. Dobson's son is doing now -

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/us/02fight.html?scp=3&sq=ryan%20dobson&st=cse

[chubby06]

12:02 AM on 02/04/2010

Why is a football player - even if a great one - the poster child for the reason not to get an abortion? What is wrong with our country when this is who the pro-lifers hold up for their point?

[Davis Fleetwood]

11:04 AM on 02/03/2010

As a card carrying liberal, I support Tebow’s right to Free Speech. Liberals would do well not to attack the speaker, but offer an alternative to his ideas.

That said, CBS is banning some advocacy ads (like one for a gay dating service) that does not allow for a level playing field.

Finally, the world will be a much better place, and the human race will increase it’s lifespan, if we can reach an age where belief in an “all knowing creator who wrote a book of laws” is put on the same intellectual footing as belief in the tooth fairy.

Especially when the book (or books) in question are treated like a Real Estate deed.

Enjoy the game.

GO SAINTS!!!!

[GGK1]

09:55 PM on 01/31/2010

Wow! You all are so "tolerant" of the Tebows! Impressive!! Oh, wait you are only tolerant of those who share YOUR views! Abortion is murder, period!

[ElTommo]

03:00 AM on 02/04/2010

Um, your personal views don't define words, period!

[Gover]

12:51 PM on 02/04/2010

Murder, definition:

"the killing of another human being under conditions specifically covered in law."

Nope. Abortion not murder. Next question?

[proudnavywife]

01:30 PM on 01/31/2010

You know, it occurs to me that not only was this woman not FORCED to have an abortion, it may have been offered to her in a country that has laws against abortion! Be careful what you ask for. If we outlaw a woman's right to choose, those with enough MONEY and connections will not be affected.

[damasview]

12:14 AM on 01/30/2010

It is insult to injury when the gay ad is taken out b/c it doesn't fit the demographic?hmmm.The commercial is pointing out that exact stereo type! There are gay athletes out there & this rejection only keeps them in the closet.

[damasview]

11:26 PM on 01/29/2010

Keep your rosaries out of my ovaries!

[macgregor59]

06:11 PM on 01/28/2010

I believe his agents at Family Focus have the kid set up to do "a day without sunshine" O.J. ads next.

[macgregor59]

06:06 PM on 01/28/2010

That's great this woman's choice worked to her satisfaction. A satisfactory choice by another woman that differs from #1 is great as well. The idea of an ad doesn't particularly appeal to me and Focus on the Family is a front for the strange but as long as they stay in Mich.-fine.

[JustAskaWoman]

03:59 PM on 01/28/2010

While abortion affects all of us, it’s largely a women’s issue. In recent years, the NFL has crowed about their growth in female viewers and advertisers have been going for it ever since. But now a “women’s” issue will plop onto the coffee table, next to the nachos and beer and somehow I feel that women will be the losers who ruined the fun of watching the game or caused fistfights over issues instead of touchdowns.http://justaskawoman.com/wsnty/

[rsheeran]

10:01 AM on 01/28/2010

So what? I don't get what all the fuss is about. If I were pregnant, which in itself would be a miracle because I'm a guy, I'd choose to have the child. It's about choice being the law of the land. I have that choice. If some people want to run an ad about making that choice in favor of having the child, let them. If they want to run an ad about removing the choice for others, that's a different story but...they still have that right to express their opinion. Just because I watch a beer commercial does not make me run out and buy beer. Relax people, it's America. We're allowed to disagree.

[LongTimeLiberal52]

01:53 PM on 01/30/2010

"I'd choose to have the child. It's about choice being the law of the land. I have that choice."

Yes, but CHOICE is precisely the point, rsheeran. Dobson and Focus on the Family want to eliminate choice from women's lives. The group works relentlessly to make the choice of terminating a pregnancy illegal, thereby making "the law of the land" devoid of options for thousands of women.

THAT's what all the fuss is about.

[Davis Fleetwood]

11:05 AM on 02/03/2010

I think the argument over the content of the ad misses the point. As a liberal, I support Tebow’s right to Free Speech. Liberals would do well not to attack the speaker, but offer an alternative to his ideas.

That said, CBS is banning some advocacy ads (like one for a gay dating service) that does not allow for a level playing field.

Finally, the world will be a much better place, and the human race will increase it’s lifespan, if we can reach an age where belief in an “all knowing creator who wrote a book of laws” is put on the same intellectual footing as belief in the tooth fairy.

Especially when the book (or books) in question are treated like a Real Estate deed.

[hypnus]

05:29 PM on 01/26/2010

I hope he cries in the ad, like he did when he lost the SEC Championship. I think everyone would love to see another heart felt moment like that. Maybe they need to sell a Tebow doll that cries when ever a woman has an abortion or you have to face a Kirby Smart defense.

[damasview]

12:15 AM on 01/30/2010

LMAO!