News

Thursday January 28, 2010


Petition Launched: Support CBS’s Decision to Air Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad

Note: Click here to sign the petition to support CBS and its decision to air the Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad. To join the Facebook page to Support the Tim Tebow Ad, click here.

January 28, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Pro-life forces are responding swiftly to the fierce pro-abortion campaign that is being waged against Focus on the Family’s pro-life ad featuring football superstar Tim Tebow, which is set to air on CBS during the Super Bowl on Feb. 7.

In the past few days, pro-abortion groups have generated over 120,000 letters to CBS, NFL, and Super Bowl advertising executives, asking that they scrap the ad, which has yet to be unveiled. Other pro-abortion organizations have generated thousands more.

In response, a petition was launched today by LSN, whereby pro-lifers can express support to CBS for its decision to air the ad, and exhort the network not to cave to pressure to drop the ad. The names of those who sign the petition will be forwarded on to CBS executives. (To sign the petition, click here)

At the same time, another pro-life group, the Susan B. Anthony List, has launched an effort aimed at supporting the Tebow family during the controversy. Via the ‘Block Hard for Tim Tebow’ website, pro-lifers can send messages of encouragement to Tim and his family to let them know that the pro-life movement is standing behind them.

The Focus on the Family ad is expected to feature the story of how Tebow’s mother refused to abort him despite being advised to do so by physicians for health reasons. Pam Tebow eventually gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby, who has gone on to become one of the most-recognized sports stars in America.

Despite its hopeful message, the ad has infuriated pro-abortion forces, who argue that it is tantamount to revoking women’s “right to choose.” On Wednesday, a number of pro-abortion groups launched an all-out campaign to pressure CBS into cancelling the ad.

“CBS needs to hear the voices of those who support life and family as well,” said LSN editor, John-Henry Westen. “Therefore LSN is launching this petition addressed to CBS, asking them not to cave in to pressure to pull the Focus on the Family ad.”

In a recent press release Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life commented on the war over the ad. “Why should it bother people who call themselves pro-choice if women watch Pam Tebow and her son Tim on Super Bowl Sunday and freely decide to choose life? Would fewer abortions be a bad thing?” he asked.

“As for the argument that the ad should not be shown because it is divisive, since when do we broadcast only things on which the American people all agree? In that case, the Super Bowl itself could not be broadcast.”

Westen added, “The pro-life leadership is already stepping forward to support the ad. Now it’s up to the pro-life rank and file to defend the Tebows and the right for their story to be told, whether or not pro-aborts would rather that they were silenced.”

Click here to sign the “Petition to CBS in Support of their Decision to Air the Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad”