The Denver Broncos, and by extension
Tim Tebow, have declined a request to join the It Gets Better
campaign, which urges bullied gay teens considering suicide to hang
in there because life eventually gets better.
The request came from a Change.org
petition started by Broncos fan Andy Szekeres. The online campaign
asks the Broncos to support gay teens and singles out Broncos
quarterback Tebow, a devout Christian who has credited his faith for
his success in the NFL.
“The Denver Broncos are committed to
tolerance, acceptance and respect for all in the community,” said
Broncos spokesman Patrick Smyth in a statement given to The
Huffington Post. “The National Football League is
currently working with USA Network on its 'Characters Unite' campaign
combating prejudice and intolerance, and our organization is in full
support of that movement to help raise awareness for this very
important cause.”
Last
year, Tebow and his mother starred in an anti-abortion ad for
Focus on the Family which aired during the Super Bowl. The Colorado
Springs-based Christian conservative group has a long record fighting
against gay rights.
Tebow, however, has not made public his
feelings on gay rights, including whether he believes gay and lesbian
couples should be allowed to marry.
(Related: Rick
Perry describes himself as the “Tim Tebow of the Iowa caucuses.”)