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The Latest Superbowl Ad Controversy

Written by Darren Hewer

Most years, the most controversial thing about the Superbowl are the ads (or perhaps a wardrobe malfunction) so in a way this year is nothing new. But unlike most previous years, where the controversy surrounds the overt sexuality of the ads, this year it’s the opposite: This year’s controversial Superbowl ad advocates celebration of family and life.

Tim Tebow will be featured in a 30 second advertisement during Superbowl XLIV. In the ad (which no one in the public has seen yet) Tebow will speak about how his mother, Pam, was advised to have an abortion when she was pregnant with Tim, due to medical complications. Pam decided to continue to term, and Tim was born. Today, Tim is a Heisman Trophy-winning American football quarterback for the Florida Gators. He and his family are Christians, and the theme of the ad will be “Celebrate family, celebrate life” and will not specifically mention abortion.

This ad has some pro-choice organizations upset. There has been pressure on CBS, the television network showing the Superbowl and which approved the commercial, to not run it. The National Organization of Women called the ad “extraordinarily offensive and demeaning.”

But columnist Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post, herself a pro-choice advocate, responds that “if there is any demeaning here, it’s coming from NOW, via the suggestion that these aren’t real questions, and that we as a Super Bowl audience are too stupid or too disinterested to handle them on game day.” She notes that “If the pro-choice stance is so precarious that a story about someone who chose to carry a risky pregnancy to term undermines it, then CBS is not the problem.” (Source: Washington Post)

The outcry comes at a time when, for the first time, more people in the USA are pro-life than pro-choice according to a recent Gallup poll survey.

What do you think about this ad controversy? Do you think the controversy is justified? Should CBS run the ad, and why? Does this ad go far enough to educate people about the reality and affects of abortion? Let us know what you think.

If you are struggling with issues regarding abortion (past or present), unwanted pregnancy, or know someone who is, please contact us if you would like to talk. There are mentors who are familiar with your struggles who will talk with you via email, privately & confidentially.

Related reading: From Tears to Triumph – One author’s story of healing and forgiveness from the guilt she felt from having been through abortions.

Tags: abortion, controversy, Culture, current events, darren hewer, Family, football, Men, pregnancy, sports, superbowl, tim tebow, Women, World

One Response to “The Latest Superbowl Ad Controversy”

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• Tiffany says:

  February 4, 2010 at 1:46 pm

  Though I do support the ad being aired, I feel that this will lead up to the GLADD, pro-choice, radical muslims, KKK, black panthers, porn and other (in my opinion) tackless groups to push their agenda. Yes, I see that you mentioned that more people in the USA are pro-life, but honestly I believe that you are misinterpreting the information. I think most people in the USA are pro-convenient.

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