If you left a pile of homework to watch the Superbowl, then you most likely saw the Tim Tebow commercial
that everyone has been talking about. Seemingly a media focus more before the Superbowl than after.
Now, after the fact, one might wonder if the ad made enough impact and fulfilled its original goal.

In fact, the original goal of Focus on the Family was to deliver a pro-life and pro-family message to the 90 million people gathered in their respective homes to watch the game, many of them families. Directly
from their website, Focus on the Family pinpointed their goal in the following statement: “We aren’t trying to sell the American people a new phone, a new soft drink or a new car. We want to offer them renewed hope, so that they can thrive in their marriage and parenting relationships.” So did the commercial really do all of that?

A great many people were expecting a far more controversial airing from the producer. The commercial itself, which can be seen on Focus on the Family’s website, YouTube and many other sites, came across as a very sweet and simple conversation between Tim and his mother, Pam, aided by a little narration. The intended
message was one of pro-life and pro-family values. That being said, unless one knew the story of Tim Tebow, the subtle message would be just that- subtle.

The real essence of the matter was how Pam Tebow continued through her pregnancy with Tim, although
advised by doctors to have an abortion for sake of her own health. She then raised him and he went on to be a sophomore Heisman Trophy winner and college football star. What other future ‘greats’ like him are at risk then, for being aborted before ever having a chance at life? But this is the Superbowl; how dare we mention the ‘A’ word during such an event.

So after all the activity and chatter over the commercial, it seemingly did not fulfill its goal. Yet, as Jamelle Hill, an analyst for ESPN stated, “I don’t care if you’re pro-choice or pro-life, conservative or liberal, God-fearing or atheist, you’ve got to admire Tebow for standing with conviction, even as he’s opening himself and his family up to criticism.” At the very least, give Tebow credit for standing up for something, as subtle as it might be.

by Joanna Parkes
[email protected]

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