Tim Tebow is now the model and spokesman for Jockey Underwear. Mr. Tebow had an extremely successful college football career and is now a quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Mr. Tebow is also well known for wearing his evangelical Christian faith on his wrist guards and under his eyes.
Jockey’s choice of Mr. Tebow as its spokesman is troubling to me, because of his association with persons and groups that are homophobic. For example, Mr. Tebow appeared at The First Redeemer Church last July ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrl_Fz0qyTs&feature=related). The pastor of the church, Richard Lee, extols Tim Tebow for his beliefs in the video. On his Web site, Rev. Lee presents himself as a champion “for the principles of Christ on such issues as gays in the military in the early 90’s.” (http://www.thereshope.org/content_about_thm/about_theres_hope.htm)
Does Mr. Tebow agree with Rev. Lee on this? Mr. Tebow’s appearance with Rev. Lee leads me to believe that Mr. Tebow endorses such views. And does Jockey endorse these views?
Tim Tebow spoke last April at Union University. A search under “homosexuality” on the university’s Web site leads to documents that are clearly homophobic.
Tim Tebow has every right to hold his religious views, but should a major company have him as its spokesman? What message does Jockey send to its gay, lesbian, or transgendered customers, when Mr. Tebow appears at venues whose members regard “the rapid normalization of homosexuality and the very real possibility of same-sex marriage…[as a threat to] the American Republic?” (“Baptist Identity: Is There a Future?” Gregory Alan Thornbury, Ph.D., Director of the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Christian Leadership, Union University Charles Fowler, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for University Relations, Union University)
http://townhall.com/news/religion/2010/12/20/tim_tebow,_in_1st_nfl_start,_scores_twice
http://www.uu.edu/
Does Jockey endorse the views that I, as a man who is gay, am a threat to the United States? Its spokesman appears to endorse this view. This leads me to believe that Jockey Underwear does as well.
I refuse to buy Jockey Underwear until Mr. Tebow publicly clarifies his association with persons and institutions that look upon me as a threat. And I call upon others to join me.
