Pro-Abortion Group Claims Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad Promotes Domestic Violence
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 8, 2010
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Unable to gain any traction by calling the Focus on the Family Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad extremist or over the top, pro-abortion groups today are offering a new dig on the commercial. The president of NOW and other abortion advocates claim the ad promotes domestic violence.
The Super Bowl ad has won praise from pro-life advocates who have hailed its heartwarming storyline and the helpful impact of the ad on the abortion debate over the last several weeks.
The ad features Pam Tebow sharing her story of how Tim Tebow "almost didn’t make it into this world" because of her tough pregnancy.
The ad directs viewers to the Focus on the Family web site where Tebow shares more about how her doctor advised her to have an abortion because of the heavy drugs she was given to combat dysentery she contracted while serving on a missions trip to the Philippines.
In an attempt to fall in line with the humorous nature of most Super Bowl commercials, the Focus on the Family in-game ad shows Tebow tackling his mom and his mother playfully scolding him for interrupting her.
In remarks that are raising eyebrows from pro-life advocates, NOW president Terry O’Neill said that bit of the ad glorified violence against women.
"I am blown away at the celebration of the violence against women in it," she told the Los Angeles Times. "That’s what comes across to me even more strongly than the anti-abortion message. I myself am a survivor of domestic violence, and I don’t find it charming. I think CBS should be ashamed of itself."
O’Neill’s reaction drew guffaws even from hardcore abortion advocates.
Frances Kissling, the former president of Catholics for Choice, told the Times that NOW is way off base.
"It’s absurd to claim that this is an endorsement of violence against women," Kissling said. "These people came across as affectionate, loving, funny and happy."
NOW wasn’t alone in trying to play the domestic violence card.
Abortion advocate Amanda Marcotte had this post on Twitter that has drawn a reaction from pro-life advocates: "Hey Mom! Tried to kill you from the womb and failed. How about a blind side tackle? Violence against Moms."
The ad drew praise and support from pro-life groups.
Americans United for Life Action president Charmaine Yoest told LifeNews.com, "This ad was funny, light-hearted, and had a positive message for everyone. The hate-filled reaction from pro-abortion groups reveals a radical abortion-at-any-cost agenda that is far out of step with the American people. Congratulations to Focus on the Family for inspiring us all in the face of extremism."
Monica Miller of the Center for a Pro-Life Society noted, "the very fact that pro-abortion people made a stink about it in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, was a plus for the pro-life movement."
"The threat that a pro-life commercial was to air during the Super Bowl caused millions of people to focus on the abortion issue–and the pro-abortionists looked foolish, narrow-minded, paranoid and ridiculous," Miller added.
"Now that the real ad has aired–and the abortion issue was never addressed–the pro-abortionists look even more ridiculous," she told LifeNews.com.
Related web sites:
Support Tebow’s Super Bowl Ad – https://www.facebook.com/TebowSuperBowlAd
Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
Daily Pro-Life News Report Twice-Weekly Pro-Life
News Report Receive a free daily email report from LifeNews.com with the latest pro-life news stories on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here. Receive a free twice-weekly email report with the latest pro-life news headlines on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here.
