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Amid slew of bad press, Tim Tebow cancels appearance at First Baptist Dallas

UPDATE: First Baptist Dallas released a statement about the cancelation at 11 am. The story has been changed to reflect this new information.

Tim Tebow called a timeout on his scheduled appearance at First Baptist Dallas, canceling the April 28 speaking engagement via Twitter.

The announcement came in a series of tweets beginning around 9 am Thursday, just three days after the news of his gig was released. At the time of Tebow's tweets, his name still appeared on the church's website; it was removed around 10 am.

The New York Jets quarterback and outspoken evangelical was to close a month-long celebration for the church's behemoth new campus — a $130 million facility that opens March 31.

But Tebow's planned appearance at the church drew a slew of negative attention related to First Baptist Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress, who in the past has taken a number of unpopular theological positions.

In a statement addressing Tebow's cancelation, First Baptist Dallas spokesman John Grable said the congregation was disappointed.

We are saddened that Mr. Tebow felt pressure to back out of his long-planned commitment 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.

Grable said that Tebow spoke with Jeffress on the phone Wednesday evening and was open to appearing at First Baptist Dallas "at a later date." This would have been the NFL quarterback's first appearance at the church.

Grable rejected the notion that Jeffress takes any position that could be described as "hateful," calling that characterization "editorializing in the media."

Nevertheless, Tebow credited "new information" brought to his attention for changing his mind about the upcoming speaking engagement.

While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ's unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic...

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow)

February 21, 2013

... First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought to my attention, I have decided to cancel my...

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013

...upcoming appearance. I will continue to use the platform God has blessed me with to bring Faith, Hope and Love to all those...

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013

...needing a brighter day. Thank you for all of your love and support. God Bless!

— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) February 21, 2013

After leading the Denver Broncos to the playoffs, Tebow was traded to the New York Jets, where he has barely played.

businessinsider.com

After leading the Denver Broncos to the playoffs, Tebow was traded to the New York Jets, where he has barely played.

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E-Cigarette News

Dallas City Council places restrictions on vaping in public

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Man vaping

Vaping will now be banned exactly like smoking, thanks to a new ordinance from the Dallas City Council.

At their December 11 meeting, the council passed an ordinance to ban vaping in all the same areas where smoking is not allowed. It'll go into effect on December 11, 2025 — giving everyone a year to get into compliance.

Proposed by City of Dallas Environmental Commission (EVC) and the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), the ordinance amends the definition of “smoking” in the Dallas City Code to include the use of vaping devices.

The ordinance does not ban vaping — it only bans where you can vape: no vaping in all indoor and enclosed spaces; within 15 feet of building entrances; and on park property. The ordinance also bans marijuana smoking in those same places.

In addition, the amendment requires restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other businesses to update their signage to clearly state that both smoking and electronic smoking devices are prohibited.

The ordinance already earned widespread support from health organizations such as the Dallas County Health and Human Services, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association. These organizations, along with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General, have all raised concerns about the health risks of direct and second-hand exposure to vaping aerosols, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and older adults.

Dallas is not the first city to impose such a ban: San Antonio enacted a similar ban in October. Theirs goes into effect on January 1, 2025.

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