A commercial for the Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation was reportedly turned down by ESPN because it mentioned the words "Jesus" and "God," which the sports channel found "problematic."
The Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation supports the Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis.
According to BreitBart.com, the original "Reason for the Season" ad for the foundation (video below) included this voiceover: "At Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the season of giving, bringing hope to the many children, parents, and families that we serve."
The commercial ended with: "Help us reveal God's healing presence this Christmas. Send your message of hope at Glennon.org."
Fox News was upset because ESPN dropped the original ad, but is running an Obamacare commercial encouraging young people to sign up for health care insurance (which has nothing to do with religion).
ESPN issued a statement to Breitbart.com, which read, "As originally submitted, the spot did not meet our commercial advocacy standards. We have since been supplied with a different commercial which will air on the 14th."
The new ad that will air on Dec. 14th during the Virginia Commonwealth vs. Northern Iowa basketball game does not mention "God" or "Jesus" as the original ad did (video below).
Former half-term Alaska governor and Fox Commentator Sarah Palin was upset about ESPN's decision to reject the original ad.
"I used to be obsessed with ESPN," Palin told BreitBart.com. "In how many interviews have I admitted that was my goal, my dream job, as I earned my journalism degree and creds in the 80's. My repeated quote is: 'But I didn't want to move to Bristol, Connecticut [home of ESPN], so I named my first daughter Bristol, instead!'"
Palin also slammed ESPN on her Facebook page:
ESPN, you've come a long way, baby... from your known wholesome, bold Americana "persona" to now being afraid to support freedom and not being bold enough to allow acknowledgement of the "Reason for the Season." So disappointing. Well, I hope you guys catch and enjoy the Christmas spirit anyway!
