published: Friday, February 05, 2010

Tebow's ad: Must see TV

Don Hunsberger

Sports columnist

He won't shred the opposing defense with his laser-beam passes. He won't waltz into the end zone after running over some hapless safety. And no matter how close the game, he won't be the go-to guy on the deciding touchdown. And yet - there's a good chance that Tim Tebow, the University of Florida's incredibly talented quarterback, nevertheless will dominate Super Bowl XLIV.

That's because Tebow is featured in a commercial paid for by the socially conservative "Focus on the Family" that will be trotted out for the first time on Super Bowl Sunday. And already, even though no one has actually seen the ad, it has triggered a raging torrent of political bile that seeks to attack or defend a point of view that has yet to be uttered.

The Tebows wear their religious beliefs on their sleeves and are dedicated to helping the disadvantaged both here at home and abroad. The 30-second ad is expected to tell the story of Pam Tebow's 1987 pregnancy. At that time, after falling ill in the midst of a mission trip to the Philippines, she was advised by local doctors to terminate her pregnancy for fear that carrying the baby to term would endanger her life. She refused the advice and later gave birth to Tim, her fifth child. As we all know, the story had a happy ending, culminating in Tebow's 2007 Heisman Trophy and a pair of BCS championships for the Gators.

WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING?

As soon as news of the upcoming commercial reached the general public, the furor began. Numerous protests from pro-choice groups demanded that CBS cancel the Tebow ad on the grounds that it was taking a political stance inappropriate to commercial television. On the other side, anti-abortion groups fired back that advocacy ads have been running on the public airwaves for quite some time and shouldn't be banned simply because significant numbers of viewers object. But after all the commotion, it's a sure bet that this particular commercial will draw a larger audience than the iconic Alka-Seltzer ad, the nude dancing lizard or even Michael Jackson's flaming hair.

Around the state and across the country, the debate has touched the same sort of raw nerve that surfaced during last year's presidential election. A polarized America once again is drawing the most potent of its rhetorical weapons, taking dead aim at its political enemies and firing at will.

For me, the entire yowling, yelping crescendo of criticism has cast doubt on the existence of our "better nature."

The run-up to every Super Bowl has included the back stories of coaches, players and fans who overcame adversity to reach the world's penultimate sporting event. At their best, and I think Tebow's story might be one of these, the stories are both instructive and inspirational. But even at their worst, they have a right to be told.

Don Hunsberger is a sports columnist for the Daily Commercial. He may be reached at donhunsberger@ dailycommercial.com.