Tebow cancels speech at televangelist’s revival

2/4/2012

COLUMBUS — Tim Tebow has canceled an appearance at a revival organized by a controversial Columbus preacher, a spokesman for the star athlete said.

The Denver Broncos quarterback and dedicated Christian had been scheduled to speak at a three-day event in March led by televangelist Rod Parsley.

Mr. Tebow’s brother, Robbie, said he was canceling the talk and that his brother’s speakers’ bureau hadn’t researched the event before saying yes.

Mr. Parsley teaches that God wants the faithful to be rich. Last year, he asked followers to donate more than $1 million to ward off satanic attacks. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican Sen. John McCain disowned an endorsement from Mr. Parsley after learning the pastor called Islam an “anti-Christ” religion.

Mark Youngkin, a Parsley spokesman, said the athlete has a contract with event organizers, who have asked him to reconsider.