Written for KNBR.com…
When considering the hierarchy of American sports, there is no debating the fact that the National Football League enjoys the top ranking, both in terms of entertainment value and popularity. The championship series or game in sports like Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NHL (and even Canada’s Grey Cup, if we want to broaden things geographically) pale in comparison to the ratings garnered by Roger Goodell’s league. Maybe Jim Nantz of CBS Sports should start this Sunday’s telecast by referring to the Super Bowl, rather than The Masters Tournament, as “a tradition unlike any other”.
No other major sport can match the level of devotion and excitement that NFL fans feel every single week. Perhaps it is the aggression that some find intriguing. Or maybe it is the connection between a city and its team that people appreciate and cherish. That is certainly the case for a city like New Orleans, which is experiencing its first-ever appearance in the Super Bowl. No matter what, the weekly games in the NFL – and especially the Super Bowl – evoke the greatest amount of passion from its followers of any professional sport. If you need further proof: millions of people will watch the Colts and Saints this Sunday. Indianapolis and New Orleans are the 25th and 51st ranked national media markets according to Nielsen ratings. A World Series featuring the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds (32nd and 33rd, respectively) would not attract the same number of viewers.
Over time, the Super Bowl has become an event, moving past simply being a contest to determine the sport’s ultimate champion. For those in attendance this year in Miami, they will not only witness the top teams from both conferences compete on the field, but the halftime show will feature The Who playing a variety of its hit songs. Media outlets from all corners of the country will send their talent to the shores of Florida’s beaches to report things like New Orleans’ defensive coordinator Gregg Williams saying that he hopes Peyton Manning doesn’t get back up after the shots rendered by the Saints. Ultimately, the entire week will be bigger than American Idol. In fact, it will include a former American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood, singing the National Anthem.
While the fans who fill SunLife Stadium will be enjoying 
Bud Light and singing along to Baba O’ Riley, those watching at home will be focused on the much-anticipated commercials for beer companies, ED pills and stock trading firms. The more casual fans can probably recall the three frogs on lilly pads and the Clydesdale horses used in Budweiser ads more readily than they can tell you which team actually won the games from year to year.
This season’s set of commercials includes a spot for former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow, which is characterized either as pro-life, pro-family or anti-abortion, depending on the side talking about the issue. For all of the ads run during the NFL’s most important game in recent years, this one has received the most attention 
by far because it not only involves a sports figure, but someone who has never felt apologetic for sharing his faith in God. Every week during Tebow’s college career, the television audience would see John 3:16 or another verse written on his eye-black. He has never shied away from recognizing his religious beliefs in media interviews, and this has angered many. Despite the volume of negative reactions to the upcoming ad in the Super Bowl, I think that Tebow should have the right to express his views, with a couple of caveats.
There will be kids in the viewing audience Sunday, so the commercial does not feature graphic images. Additionally, I hope that Tim and his mother express their beliefs in a way that does not force others into the same belief system. If these two criteria are met, and you still do not agree with the ultimate message of the ad, that’s fine. You have the ability to turn off the television or leave the room for thirty seconds. In the interest of full disclosure, I have never been comfortable with evangelism. Never have I told someone that they should convert to my religion. I hold strongly to my beliefs, but absolutely respect those of others. Some say that religion and politics have no place in sports, and Tebow’s commercial seems to combine the three. Tell that to Jim Brown, Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Sure, that was an era of greater activism in general, but even more recently, LeBron James publicly supported Barack Obama in the Presidential race. People do not always have to agree about what religion is “correct”, which politician would make the best president, or even which sports team is superior, but all sides of an argument should be given equal time to advocate for their position.
No matter the repercussions of Tim Tebow’s ad this Sunday, one thing is certain: it will not affect the appeal of the NFL. There is a contingent of people that are anti-Tebow, and that group might increase in number following this year’s Super Bowl. But you must admit that with or without Tebow, this Sunday is the pinnacle of a sport that reigns supreme over leagues run by Bud Selig and David Stern. With or without Tebow, you still want to see Manning versus Brees, the Colts defense against Reggie Bush and The Who playing “Pinball Wizard”.
This Super Bowl, regardless of its commercials, certainly beats the Montreal Alouettes beating the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the Grey Cup, with “Blue Rodeo” performing at halftime in the CFL. Trust me.
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