NBC: 'God's Quarterback' Tebow Introduced to Americans in 'Controversial Anti-Abortion Ad'
By Kyle Drennen | December 12, 2011 | 15:28
In a report for Monday's NBC Today, correspondent Peter Alexander described the rise of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, noting how the NFL player's devout Christian faith has earned him the nickname of "God's Quarterback." Alexander went on to declare: "Many Americans were first introduced to Tebow during this controversial anti-abortion ad that aired during the 2010 Super Bowl."
While Alexander's report only featured a brief clip of the ad, if the full spot had been shown, viewers would have seen for themselves the complete lack of controversy in the commercial. In fact, the ad never even used the word abortion.
Alexander noted analysis of Tebow's success: "...the 6'3" son of a pastor has defied his critics and revealed the deep-seated anxieties in America about the intersection of religion and sports." Rodney Harrison of NBC Sports observed: "He's polarizing because people don't understand what he stands for. He believes in his Christian faith and he's not afraid in today's time to come out and tell people what he believes in."
Citing one Tebow critic, Alexander announced: "And while many Christians embraced Tebow's continued proclamations of faith, former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer recently said he wished Tebow would, quote, 'just shut up.'"
Here is a full transcript of the December 12 segment:
7:00AM ET TEASE:
MATT LAUER: God's quarterback. Tim Tebow, pulls off yet another come-from-behind victory, giving Bronco fans more reason to Tebow today.
7:17AM ET SEGMENT:
ANN CURRY: Now to one of the most talked about athletes in the country right now. On Sunday, the legend of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow grew even larger with a big win over the Chicago Bears. And NBC's Peter Alexander is joining us now with details. Hey, Peter, good morning.
PETER ALEXANDER: Ann, good morning to you. This has been called "Tebow Time." He has even been referred to as "The Chosen One." Tim Tebow, that's his name, is the Denver Broncos charismatic quarterback and he has really become the face of Christianity in sports. Some have even labeled his recent on-field success a modern day miracle.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: The Legend of Tebow Continues; "God's Quarterback" Has Another Amazing Comeback]
NFL ANNOUNCER: Tebow fires and the catch is made.
ALEXANDER: For Tim Tebow's Denver Broncos Sunday, facing imminent defeat, another improbable come-from-behind win.
NFL ANNOUNCER: Tebow takes off, throws to the end zone, touchdown!
ALEXANDER: Just as they've done four times in previous weeks. But during Sunday's winning kick, Tebow didn't watch. He prayed.
NFL ANNOUNCER: For the win, the kick is good!
TIM TEBOW: I just figure at a time like that, it's more important to just be talking to the man upstairs and just my relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing to me so there's not a better time to talk to him than then.
ALEXANDER: In only his second season as a pro, the 24-year-old quarterback has become one of the sport's most captivating figures. Known as much for his evangelical faith as for his football. This is how he began Sunday's post-game press conference.
TEBOW: First and foremost, I'd like to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ.
ALEXANDER: This weekend, one newspaper headline even touted Tebow as "God's Quarterback," noting that the 6'3" son of a pastor has defied his critics and revealed the deep-seated anxieties in America about the intersection of religion and sports.
RODNEY HARRISON [NBC SPORTS]: He's polarizing because people don't understand what he stands for. He believes in his Christian faith and he's not afraid in today's time to come out and tell people what he believes in.
ALEXANDER: Many Americans were first introduced to Tebow during this controversial anti-abortion ad that aired during the 2010 Super Bowl.
TEBOW: Sorry about that, mom.
ALEXANDER: And while many Christians embraced Tebow's continued proclamations of faith, former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer recently said he wished Tebow would, quote, "just shut up."
Still, Tebow has inspired an international audience, they've even come up with a name for his signature pose, on a knee, his fist to his forehead in prayer – calling it Tebowing. A website is dedicated to those mimicking the public display, including American skier Lindsay Vonn, who Tebowed for the camera. Tebow's latest on-field heroics have observers wondering whether it's skill, luck, or perhaps divine intervention.
TEBOW: Alright, y'all have a blessed day.
ALEXANDER: Y'all have a blessed day. That's how he ended his news conference. Tebow is now 7 and 1 as a starting quarterback. For his part, he says that football is just a game. He says God doesn't care who wins or loses. But, Matt and Ann, you better believe he is picking up new believers every step of the way.
CURRY: No kidding, thanks a lot, Peter. At least people want to learn how to Tebow.
[CURRY MIMICS TEBOW PRAYING]
MATT LAUER: Right and you hear all the analysts saying that he's not a good passer. He can't do this well. He's 7 and 1 as a starting quarterback, that's not too bad.
[PICTURE OF MAN "TEBOWING"]
CURRY: Look at him. Anyway, we'll all be practicing that a little bit later today.
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Comments
If he was a Muslim and bent
Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 3:37pm.
If he was a Muslim and bent towards Mecca nothing would have been said. Kickers have been crossing themselves for years prior to a kick. I knew some snipers that would cross themselves before they shot.
Yeap, exactly, if Teabow was
Submitted by Liberallies on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 3:45pm.
Yeap, exactly, if Teabow was a Muslim who flaunted his Christianity as the media claims Teabow does, the media heads would be falling all over themselves to report on such a nice and devout Muslim.
But since Teabow is a Christian, he must be attacked.
The other day I was a bit shocked when I read a very anti-Teabow article on Hotair.com. It went on and on on how the writer felt Teabow is publicly shoving his religion on NFL viewers and players. The writer was crying how he only wants to watch football, not Christians flaunting their religion. Pretty sad article. The comments were great, though, since the easy respond is, if you are a Christian you can't even seem to be shoving your beliefs on anyone, but if you are a militant homosexual,Muslim, Liberal, Atheist you are praised and love by the media if you shove your beliefs on everyone else.
Doug Giles put that perfectly
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:03pm.
Doug Giles put that perfectly in his townhall column yesterday.
Rebel, Rebel: Tim Tebow
I wonder if the Tebow critics would be as mouthy about his faith if Tim’s name was Achmed and the god he praised after a TD was Allah. I doubt it. Why do I hesitate? Well, it’s principally because Christophobic toads are afraid to turn the verbal guns they use to berate Christians on Muslims, that’s why. Plus, they’d probably go to jail or get fired for “hate speech,” but good Lord, you can certainly rag on Christians, now can’t ‘cha?
and this observation:
Let me see if I get this straight: A sex worshipping, multi-tattooed thug with three illegit kids from three different women scores a touchdown and then proceeds to simulate a sex act in the end zone—in front of our children and the millions watching by television—and that’s okay? Why sure it is. Who are we to judge? Matter of fact, let’s give that future inmate a Nike ad and bump his contract up a few mil because he brings spice (and crabs) to the game. Ah … sweet progress.
Welcome to Bizarro World.
Some are starting to make fun
Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:05pm.
Some are starting to make fun of kickers that make the sign of the cross before kick.
I left off the rest of Giles'
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:14pm.
I left off the rest of Giles' comparison:
On the other hand, in this evil-is-good and good-is-evil highway to hell culture, Tim Tebow, a model citizen, points toward heaven or bows a Rodin-style knee to Yahweh, and boom …he's the bad guy!
That's why I said we're in Bizarro World.
I understand the thundering outcry from the media over players
Submitted by Jer on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 6:25pm.
kneeling in post-game prayer circles, crossing themselves or pointing toward heaven after scoring a TD or hitting a home run, or verbally giving praise and credit to God for their success in speeches or interviews--as did current Heisman winner TG III [and as has every Heisman winner in recent memory]--in countless instances...has just been deafening!
Wait. You mean there's barely been a ripple? Oh well. Never mind.
Jer
Fut
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:22pm.
There's no "a" in Tebow.
:)
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 109 (and Counting)
Ooops, thanks Blonde! It is
Submitted by Liberallies on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 5:53pm.
Ooops, thanks Blonde! It is Tebow! :-)
Just love how with his example, his game, his actions, Tebow is making the anti-Christians head blow up!
Sad the Bears lost yesterday, but we could not have lost to a better quarterback.
Live in Chicago, huge Bears
Submitted by Liberallies on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 3:40pm.
Live in Chicago, huge Bears fan, very upset the Bears lost yesterday. But my goodness was I cheering Teabow!!!
I love how the media's heads are blowing up because Teabow is a Christian who is doing so well in the NFL!!
My prayers go out to him and I pray he keeps on doing very well! But he has to be aware when he does bad, and he will at some point, we all do, the media will eat him alive even more than they are now.
Let them try.
Submitted by Mike Bratton on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:34pm.
Young brother Tim has shown he has the perspective to handle losing with aplomb.
To coin a phrase, he's keeping the main thing the main thing. And if it's confusing when Tim turns references to "Tebow Time" wins into "Broncos Time," imagine the perplexed responses when (and if) the Broncos lose again this season.
--Mike
Huh?
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 3:53pm.
RODNEY HARRISON [NBC SPORTS]: "He's polarizing because people don't understand what he stands for. He believes in his Christian faith and he's not afraid in today's time to come out and tell people what he believes in."
So, "he's not afraid in today's time to come out and tell people what he believes in," but somehow, "people don't understand what he stands for." That doesn't make any sense.
But that makes Tebow "polarizing."
I watched the last quarter of the Denver-Chicago game yesterday (the 13-10 OT win), and the sportscasters were going on for over 15 minutes about how to explain it. But it's obvious that they don't like his style and they don't like his piety, so he's some kind of an enigma.
Being an unabashed Christian
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:00pm.
Being an unabashed Christian is "polarizing", didn't you know that?
Indeed it is.
Submitted by Mike Bratton on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:29pm.
And it's supposed to be.
From Matthew 10: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."
The interesting thing, early on in this football season, was to notice the backgrounds of some of the more ardent of Tim's critics--particularly their antipathy towards spirituality in general, and towards Christianity in particular; Merril Hoge is a prime example of someone whose hyperbole stems from more than just football.
Brother Tim is just demonstrating the truth of Jesus' words.
--Mike
N.B.
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:05pm.
Tebow doesn't call himself "God's Quarterback." Others do, to mock him.
Classy.
Maybe Tim could adopt one of Rush's sayings.
Submitted by IdahoJim on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:40pm.
"Talent on loan from God".
The only time Rush is humble.
IdahoJim
http://idahoandy.net
Yoo Hoo! Stoopid Mr. Pete Alexander!!!!
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:06pm.
Since you are obviously not very good at your job, let me fill you in on a little bit of "history".
Prior to 2006, Tim Tebow was the most highly sought after high school quarterback in the nation. In 2006, Tim Tebow played QB, filling in on wildcat plays, for the National Championship University of Florida Gators. The BCS National Championship is a national event.
In 2007, Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy as a Sophomore. This, of course, was a first. The Heisman Trophy Award, Mr. Alexander, is a national event.
In 2008, after a stunning loss to Mississippi, ruining the possibility of a perfect season, Tim Tebow delivered "the speech", apologizing, and taking total responsibility for the loss, and promising that he would work hard, and push his teammates, for the rest of the season to make up for it. He subsequently led his team to victory for the remainder of the season, and again to victory in the BCS National Championship Game, which as I've already pointed out, Mr. Alexander, is a national event.
Superman (aka Timmy Tebow) arrived on the national scene long before the "controversial" ad, which was really just Tim and his mom telling the story of his birth (well known to all by now). The ad was a tempest in a teapot, but of course, the liberal left went wild long before the ad ever aired.
In 2010, Tim Tebow was drafted in the first round, despite the naysayers who prognosticated he'd never make it at QB in the NFL.
In 2011, taking over an anemic Denver team from Kyle Orton.....well, we have all seen what Tebow Time is all about.
In short, Mr. Alexander, Never Doubt The Tebow.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 109 (and Counting)
TEBOW
Submitted by Jersey Girl on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:22pm.
Can you imagine the gnashing of teeth if Tebow goes to the Super Bowl this year. Not in a commercial but with the Broncos.
Oh I can see it all now.
Well, I can dream. But then I also believe.
Follow my bottom link, Jersey Girl
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:24pm.
You will like it, trust me.
If he gets them into the playoffs this year, after starting 40% of the games, he's due for about an extra $6 million. Not that he cares about the money for himself, but I'm sure he'd love to have it for his foundation.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 109 (and Counting)
Hey Blonde,
Submitted by Boudin on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 10:08pm.
Did you catch this article, it talks about his charities and work off of the field. Truly a guy who walks the walk.
Well played, JJ.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 6:00pm.
As always!
Football "experts" are choking on their words.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:12pm.
I love watching Tebow make fools of all the so-called "experts" who kept predicting that he wouldn't make it in the NFL They are absolutely baffled by his success.
I'll bet right now, today, that when the time comes that Timmy loses (and he will at some point) all we'll hear from those clowns is, "See! I told you so!" like he is the only player to lose a game, ever.
I like Tebow. I always have. I wish him continued success.
Denver would do well to fire Elway and place their future on Tebow's shoulders.
Bowlen has been quiet...for now...
Submitted by Unsane on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 11:11pm.
Bronco fan here...I highly suspect that if this continues and the Broncos win the AFC West, Tebow's #1 fan is going to be Pat Bowlen. And when that happens, there won't be much Elway or Fox can do.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Tebow
Submitted by Brad90956 on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:14pm.
I've been a Tebow fan since he was a freshman at Florida. The guy is an exemplary role model on and off the field. He does not hit people over the head with his message. He simply tells how his faith has inspired him. He hopes that, in turn, will inspire someone else, who will in turn inspire someone else...
Tebow once said while at Florida, "Being with kids, being with sick kids, making them smile, I think those memories will probably be even more special to me than some of the games and some of the wins and the championships and whatnot.” Because you know what? At the end of the day, that is more special, being able to use football as a platform to make a kid smile, to make a kid’s day."
He was been good on the field, but he's even better off the field.
"Controversial" ad - Nice
Submitted by Edhenry on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:17pm.
"Controversial" ad - Nice try.
Insert "Controversial" in the Mora tirade "playoffs..playoffs!?"
Often one knows what/who to support simply by those that oppose
Creating controversy is a specialty
Submitted by metaphorsbwithu on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 11:47pm.
It was "controversial" because the media created a controversy over an ad which was actually wholesome, sweet and quite funny.
It was "controversial" like any issue the left is opposed too is controversial.
Anything the left and its enabling media cronies oppose becomes "controversial" because they can rarely argue against it logically and rationally and must brand it as somehow weird, bigoted, stupid and hateful to influence those people who have short attention spans and/or lack the ability to think critically.
Ex: "Oh, look hon ... that Arizona Immigration Law is CONTROVERSIAL. It must be bad!"
Oh, for crying out loud! Seriously??
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:21pm.
deep-seated anxieties in America about the intersection of religion and sports."
Are you kidding me?
WHAT deep-seated anxieties?
The length that morons like Alexander will go to, to portray their own opinions and prejudices as widespread phenomena, is just jaw-dropping.
Motherbelt
Submitted by Jerry Mack on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 5:20pm.
Excellent! Just one thing. They (Lamers) now use the term controversial instead of saying "He sucks".
Ha!
Submitted by Unsane on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 11:17pm.
Funny about how the intersection of religion and sports is not commented on when a football player has a very serious injury on the field and BOTH teams' players pray for the injured...
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
NBC--Your home for Notre Dame football!
Submitted by JeffC... on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 4:30pm.
I guess Notre Dame is okay because they invited The One to speak at graduation a few years ago, and NBC is only in it for the money. After all, someone needs to pay for MSNBC, and it's not advertisers.
DJ Gallo
Submitted by Chaitealover on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 7:35pm.
composed a terrific "time line" on ESPN.com page 2 last week, before the game with The Bears:
http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/id/7318585/tim-tebow-denver-bronco...
Priceless
Chai
If Tebow were anything like
Submitted by stratman on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 1:11am.
If Tebow were anything like what the polluted Leftist Media make him out to be, his teammates would never play with the kind of heart and determination they've shown when down by points and the clock is short. A team in distress (RE: Cleveland) will play poorly no matter the talent. The team, coaches and owner obviously are happy with Tebow.
Humble, talented, smart, loyal and giving, Tebow's the real deal - a leader by example who lets his actions speak instead of his mouth - in a culture gone superficial and egocentric.
Yeah. I like this all-American kid. Hat tip to Blonde for introducing Tebow to me.
Here you go, Strat, re: Tebow. "All He Does Is Win"
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 10:35am.
The perfect slapdown for the naysayers...I'm not much of a fan of rap, but this video is just perfect (and only a minute long).
You are more than welcome for the intro.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 109 (and Counting)
Let Him Loose!
Submitted by stratman on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 11:59am.
I take it the guy sleeping in the video is a naysayer because it wasn't a flattering image. Funny stuff.