Women's Groups Want CBS to Drop Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad

Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow might be better known for his religious beliefs than his on-field accomplishments or the quirky way the throws a football. At least for the next few weeks -- a national coalition of women's groups is urging CBS to drop a commercial featuring Tebow and his mother set to air during the Super Bowl.

Critics fear the 30-second spot, paid for by Focus on the Family, will convey an anti-abortion message. Via the Washington Post:

The ad ... is expected to recount the story of Pam Tebow's pregnancy in 1987 with a theme of "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life." 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, who went on to win the 2007 Heisman Trophy while helping his Florida team to two BCS championships.

The controversy over the commercial began Sunday when Tebow met with reporters at the Senior Bowl.

"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 and I'm never shy about that ... I don't feel that I am very preachy about it," Tebow said. "I've always been very convicted of it 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."

Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger said he was "a little surprised" by the outcry over the spot, but based on the letter sent from the Women's Media Center to CBS, the issue isn't so much the message as it is the messenger.

"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," the letter said.

Schneeberger's response: "We understand that some people don't think very highly of what we do. We're not trying to sell you a soft drink - we're not selling anything. We're trying to celebrate families."

Like most matters that mix politics and religion, I'm sure this will end well.

Watch Feb. 7: Super Bowl Ads