One of the upcoming Super Bowl Sunday commercials will feature Florida Gator standout Tim Tebow expressing his pro-life views. The spot is funded by the far right Christian conservative group called Focus on the Family. In a preemptive response, Planned Parenthood has released their own commercial featuring former Viking Sean James and Olympian Al Joyner. In the ad, the athletes say they "respect Ms. Tebow's decision" not to have an abortion when she was pregnant with her son Tim, but they are also "working toward the day where...every woman's decision about her health and her family will be respected." As a man, sports fan, and someone who is also pro-choice, it's refreshing to see male athletes step up and deliver this message. It's also cool to see it delivered in such a classy and tasteful manner. Click Here to Finish Reading & View the Commercial
Continued: I am wondering, however, if there are any pro-choice present day athletes that are more prominent and popular who could have delivered this message or are they all too chicken-sh*t to "take a stand" on something other than choosing Sprite over 7-Up or Nike over Reebok. It reminds me of when Michael Jordan famously refused to endorse the opponent of racist Senator Jessie Helms in his home state of North Carolina because, as he put it, "Republicans wear sneakers too". Utterly shameless. Jim Brown should have kick-dropped him and Muhammad Ali should have bit his lip, shook his fist at him and spit out some clever rhyme in response to Jordans's cowardice.
For that matter, even though I disagree with Tim Tebow's pro-life position, I respect him for standing up and supporting something he believes in. Most present-day athletes, with endorsement deals hanging in the balance, don't have the heart. That's why Planned Parenthood had to go and unearth these two almost forgotten former greats. Okay, for real, I have no clue who the hell Sean James is, other than I read he used to play for the Minnesota Vikings. But I'm glad to see him, whatever position he played, along with Al Joyner doing this spot. Well done. One
The pro athlete, by and large will not give their support or views on social issues while they are active. In the case of the two gentlemen who responded pro-choice (James and Joyner), they're retired.
John Amache's book about his being a homosexual NBA player came out after his career was over.
As long as you have active athletes who can do major endorcement deals, their agents will advise them against taking controversial public stances.
I have yet to see the kind of activist stances in this day in age that we saw in the 60's when Ali, Russell and others litterally put their careers on the line for what they believed in.
Tebow is certanly a different style of athlete. A home-schooled, missionary-exposed kid, his parents have been pro-active in relegious and conservative causes for as long as he can remember. I too applaud his courage on this issue because he clearly is jeopardizing his future earning potential as far as endorcements are concerned.
The message that Mrs. Tebow is making in my opinion is not in the best interests of other women who may be putting their own lives at risk. I think that such issues should not be remotely aired during a Superbowl, but such is the climate that conservative organizations wish to foster. At a time when being on the political right is becoming more and more sour, bold initiatives such as this keep them relevent with other conservates.
Just yesterday during lunch break myself and a male co-worker stopped by a sandwich shop and on the way back we ended up passing by an abortion clinic and saw all the protesters standing outside, standing up for their strongly felt beliefs. I then noticed business at the clinic continued. Which led me to believe that it will always be this way.
I stand firmly in middle ground - if a woman wants to have an abortion, so be it. If a woman doesn't believe in abortion, then I'm fine with that stance as well.
I am in my 4th year here at the University of Florida, and I actually had a Sociology course with Tebow the fall semester of my freshman year. Even back then, he always stood his ground on his opinions- whether you agreed with him or not, he didn't try to appease people with his personal convictions or beliefs (but he certainly did on the football field!). What some people don't seem to realize, is that UF is actually a pretty liberal campus, so if he didn't care what people thought while he was here, it doesn't surprise me that he doesn't care now...he's already aware that people have differing views, which is probably why he's able to take the "abortion backlash" in stride. This isn't exactly new to him.
Anyways, when it comes to abortion, I do think there should be a limit to the number of abortions a woman can have in her lifetime. A while back, I learned in one of my course studies that women who have had multiple abortions earlier in life are more likely to have problems when they do decide to have a child. They often have greater difficulty carrying the child to term and suffer through miscarriages.
As a person who believes in holistic medicinal practices, I don't really believe in anything that causes such damage to the womb. I don't believe that it's coincidence that both the male and female organs resemble other plants living things in nature all throughout the world. I think they are universal symbols, signifying their power and connection to all living things through the creator. But then again, that's just my opinion.
I did a stint at Planned Parenthood, and what people should realize is that abortions are very small percentage of the procedures done. They are more of a clinic for those that need basic care, std treatment, and counseling. Especially our youth that do not have a stable home or adult they can turn to.
I don't feel as if men should be suggesting what a woman should do with her body. UNLESS they are a married couple his opinion is null.
Abortion should not be taken as a birth control and should be monitored, however there are extreme cases where maybe its necessary. Everyone has their own opinion. Whereas I personally would not get an abortion I believe that I don't have the right NOR does anyone else have the right to tell another person what to do.
In regards to the Protesters that I had to walk past every morning on the way to work...they need to get a life. You never know a person's situation.
Just saw the Tebow commercial...I actually think it's more tasteful than what everyone thought it would be. There is no mention whatsoever of pro-life or pro-choice stance; the commercial just simply tells you to go to their website if you want to know the rest of the story. I thought it was well done.
Mason, this is an issue that exist in the minds of most thinking people. Granted, for the most part, we are sports fans, but we exist outside the boundaries of sport competition. This doesn't seem true for the sports figures of our day. They have totally submerged into the myth of the "Mandingo super gladiator".
The athlete today is consumed with his own greatness. This is evidenced by the only stands they are willing and enthusiastically take. These stands most often involve some violence toward a female, or misuse of weapons. Most of which thrust them into the headlines, and has provided sports journalist with a section of their platforms dedicated to,'Who screwed up lately',and not 'Who stood up for an idea that is debatable'.
An indication of their misplaced values is the need for sport leagues to guide them to programs, that help children and handicapped persons as a mandatory participation. While explaining the public relations benefits,to these self absorbed, Spartans. I can almost guarantee that if the mandatory participation clause was not in place, it wouldn't happen.
Standing behind a coach (leader) seems to be there place, but taking a respectful stand on an issue is out of character for these over priced drones. Female athlete's seem more willing to take stands on issues aside from those force fed. GregT2U2
(Posted 10.08.09) This is a Reebok commercial featuring Jay-Z that's been around for a while. I just saw it again recently and the tone struck me. For starters, I'm sucker for any scene that features men, well made suits and a tailor at work. And for someone who grew up on a daily diet of rap, but is now in his late 30's, this is reminder of the sweet duality of embracing hip hop and knowing how to get your grown man on at the same time. Roll Tape!
One of the upcoming Super Bowl Sunday commercials will feature Florida Gator standout Tim Tebow expressing his pro-life views. The spot is funded by the far right Christian conservative group called Focus on the Family. In a preemptive response, Planned Parenthood has released their own commercial featuring former Viking Sean James and Olympian Al Joyner. In the ad, the athletes say they "respect Ms. Tebow's decision" not to have an abortion when she was pregnant with her son Tim, but they are also "working toward the day where...every woman's decision about her health and her family will be respected." As a man, sports fan, and someone who is also pro-choice, it's refreshing to see male athletes step up and deliver this message. It's also cool to see it delivered in such a classy and tasteful manner. Click Here to Finish Reading & View the Commercial
The pro athlete, by and large will not give their support or views on social issues while they are active. In the case of the two gentlemen who responded pro-choice (James and Joyner), they're retired.
John Amache's book about his being a homosexual NBA player came out after his career was over.
As long as you have active athletes who can do major endorcement deals, their agents will advise them against taking controversial public stances.
I have yet to see the kind of activist stances in this day in age that we saw in the 60's when Ali, Russell and others litterally put their careers on the line for what they believed in.
Tebow is certanly a different style of athlete. A home-schooled, missionary-exposed kid, his parents have been pro-active in relegious and conservative causes for as long as he can remember. I too applaud his courage on this issue because he clearly is jeopardizing his future earning potential as far as endorcements are concerned.
The message that Mrs. Tebow is making in my opinion is not in the best interests of other women who may be putting their own lives at risk. I think that such issues should not be remotely aired during a Superbowl, but such is the climate that conservative organizations wish to foster.
At a time when being on the political right is becoming more and more sour, bold initiatives such as this keep them relevent with other conservates.
MarkL
Just yesterday during lunch break myself and a male co-worker stopped by a sandwich shop and on the way back we ended up passing by an abortion clinic and saw all the protesters standing outside, standing up for their strongly felt beliefs. I then noticed business at the clinic continued. Which led me to believe that it will always be this way.
I stand firmly in middle ground - if a woman wants to have an abortion, so be it. If a woman doesn't believe in abortion, then I'm fine with that stance as well.
I am in my 4th year here at the University of Florida, and I actually had a Sociology course with Tebow the fall semester of my freshman year. Even back then, he always stood his ground on his opinions- whether you agreed with him or not, he didn't try to appease people with his personal convictions or beliefs (but he certainly did on the football field!). What some people don't seem to realize, is that UF is actually a pretty liberal campus, so if he didn't care what people thought while he was here, it doesn't surprise me that he doesn't care now...he's already aware that people have differing views, which is probably why he's able to take the "abortion backlash" in stride. This isn't exactly new to him.
Anyways, when it comes to abortion, I do think there should be a limit to the number of abortions a woman can have in her lifetime. A while back, I learned in one of my course studies that women who have had multiple abortions earlier in life are more likely to have problems when they do decide to have a child. They often have greater difficulty carrying the child to term and suffer through miscarriages.
As a person who believes in holistic medicinal practices, I don't really believe in anything that causes such damage to the womb. I don't believe that it's coincidence that both the male and female organs resemble other plants living things in nature all throughout the world. I think they are universal symbols, signifying their power and connection to all living things through the creator. But then again, that's just my opinion.
-Student
I did a stint at Planned Parenthood, and what people should realize is that abortions are very small percentage of the procedures done. They are more of a clinic for those that need basic care, std treatment, and counseling. Especially our youth that do not have a stable home or adult they can turn to.
I don't feel as if men should be suggesting what a woman should do with her body. UNLESS they are a married couple his opinion is null.
Abortion should not be taken as a birth control and should be monitored, however there are extreme cases where maybe its necessary. Everyone has their own opinion. Whereas I personally would not get an abortion I believe that I don't have the right NOR does anyone else have the right to tell another person what to do.
In regards to the Protesters that I had to walk past every morning on the way to work...they need to get a life. You never know a person's situation.
Just saw the Tebow commercial...I actually think it's more tasteful than what everyone thought it would be. There is no mention whatsoever of pro-life or pro-choice stance; the commercial just simply tells you to go to their website if you want to know the rest of the story. I thought it was well done.
Mason, this is an issue that exist in the minds of most thinking people. Granted, for the most part, we are sports fans, but we exist outside the boundaries of sport competition. This doesn't seem true for the sports figures of our day. They have totally submerged into the myth of the "Mandingo super gladiator".
The athlete today is consumed with his own greatness. This is evidenced by the only stands they are willing and enthusiastically take. These stands most often involve some violence toward a female, or misuse of weapons. Most of which thrust them into the headlines, and has provided sports journalist with a section of their platforms dedicated to,'Who screwed up lately',and not 'Who stood up for an idea that is debatable'.
An indication of their misplaced values is the need for sport leagues to guide them to programs, that help children and handicapped persons as a mandatory participation. While explaining the public relations benefits,to these self absorbed, Spartans. I can almost guarantee that if the mandatory participation clause was not in place, it wouldn't happen.
Standing behind a coach (leader) seems to be there place, but taking a respectful stand on an issue is out of character for these over priced drones. Female athlete's seem more willing to take stands on issues aside from those force fed. GregT2U2