Tim Tebow defends Super Bowl ad

Tampa, Florida - Women's groups are calling on CBS to scrap a planned Super Bowl ad that features former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam.

The ad was shot in Orlando last week and in it Pam reportedly talks about her life-threatening illness in the Philippines in 1987. She was on a mission trip and was pregnant with Tim, her fifth child. She was so sick that doctors advised her to have an abortion.

The ad is said to boast of Tim's life and his success. In 2007, he won the Heisman Trophy. He also led the Gators to two BCS Championships.

Photo Gallery: Tebow and others practice for Senior Bowl

On Monday, Tim Tebow defended the pro-life ad from Mobile, Alabama where he's preparing to take part in the Senior Bowl. "I mean, some people won't agree with it, you know, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe. I'm just standing for something and, you know, I've always been very convicted of it one. That's the reason why I'm here because my mom is a very courageous woman." 

You can watch the ad during Super Bowl XLIV, which will air on 10 Connects, Sunday Feb. 7th. 

A protest letter sent to CBS says the ad "uses sports to divide rather than to unite." The National Organization for Women is among the groups backing the protest. Terry O'Neill, the president of organization said she had respect for the private choices made by women such as Pam Tebow but condemned the planned ad as "extraordinarily offensive and demeaning."

Tampa NOW board member Eleanor Cecil says the Super Bowl is not the place for the message. "But to put it out there as the right way to do things, or this is the way that it should happen and that's it's pro-life only, that's what our concern is. That it doesn't give the other side or the other point of view."

The Christian group Focus on the Family, which is based out of Colorado Springs, paid for the 30-second ad. Lisa Anderson says the Super Bowl is the perfect place to get the non profit group's message across to a large audience of families.

Anderson says, "You know, life begins at conception. We value life at all stages and we've made no apologies for that in our over 30 year history and we feel like this ad is going to be a celebration of that - really of Pam's choice."

A spokesman says CBS approved the script and gave no indication the protest would have an impact. CBS did issue a statement, "Our standards and practices process continues to adhere to a policy that ensures all ads on all sides of an issue are appropriate for air."

Eleanor Cecil says CBS has refused to air other controversial ads in the past. "It's very controversial and I'm just surprised that CBS has chosen to go this route. In 2004 United Church of Christ wanted to run an ad, a liberal leaning ad, saying how they accepted everyone in their congregation no matter what they're leanings were and CBS turned that down because of the controversy they thought it might cause. I'm confused as to why they would take this on which is much more controversial than that would be. I mean this is a day that should unite us."

United Church of Christ took the stance of welcoming gays and others who might feel shunned by more conservative churches.

The ad will air during the pregame and during the game. Focus on the Family won't say how much they paid for it. But the going rate is three million dollars for a 30 second spot. 

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