Tim Tebow cancels event at First Baptist Church Dallas

by Sarah Blaskovich

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Too much controversy.

DALLAS — Following a wave of national media attention, New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow will no longer speak at First Baptist Church of Dallas in April.

He told Dr. Robert Jeffress by phone that "for personal and professional reasons, he needed to avoid controversy," according to a statement from First Baptist Church.

Tebow announced on Twitter:

"While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ's unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought to my attention, I have decided to cancel my upcoming appearance."

"I will continue to use the platform God has blessed me with to bring Faith, Hope and Love to all those needing a brighter day. Thank you for all of your love and support. God Bless!"

His appearance was scheduled during the church's celebration of the $130 million expansion of the downtown space. Tebow was scheduled to share "his story."

His appearance attracted national attention in part because of Jeffress' outspoken beliefs against homosexuality. The church statement calls media criticisms of Jeffress "gross misrepresentations":

"We are saddened that Mr. Tebow felt pressure to back out of his long-planned commitment to First Baptist Dallas from numerous New York and national sports and news media who grossly misrepresented past comments made by our pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress, specifically related to issues of homosexuality and AIDS, as well as Judaism."

"The reason for the recent media firestorm is not because the Word of God has changed, but because society has changed," reads the church statement.

As the DMN notes, neither Tebow nor Jeffress has apologized.

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