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09/25 16:31 CDT Tim Tebow pauses relationship with Christian organization
accused of using predatory sales tactics
Tim Tebow pauses relationship with Christian organization accused of using
predatory sales tactics
By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) --- Tim Tebow said Friday he is "pausing his
relationship" with Life Surge, a Christian organization that's been accused of
using predatory sales tactics to exploit its followers' faith and financial
insecurity.
Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner who is currently a college football
analyst with ESPN's SEC Nation, said his team is conducting an internal
investigation. He spoke on campus in advance of the Mississippi-Florida game at
Florida Field on Saturday.
"The allegations are extremely, extremely serious, and it's something that we
take very serious," Tebow said. "So, for us, we're having our team do an
investigation, but also pausing our relationship 'til we can learn more about
the facts to be able to understand more."
Tebow said he was "caught off guard" by the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast
that focused partly on Tebow's speaking engagements with Life Surge.
"I was at an anti-human trafficking conference (Thursday), and my team shared
(it) with me when we were leaving as we were flying to Alabama for the event,
and kind of caught off guard with some of it," Tebow said. "I think that's why
I'm really trying to understand more of the facts to really learn it."
His message to his loyal followers amid the allegations:
"It's really important to get answers to understand every bit of that," he
said. "My heart ... was to be able to share something that I love to share,
which is the love of Christ and the good news of the gospel. And so I think
it's really important that we can really understand all the facts and details
of it."
The podcast's investigation raised questions about Tebow's knowledge of the
organization's practices.
Life Surge, which hosts around 30 events annually, typically brings in
Christian celebrities like Tebow to headline events. At Life Surge's one-day
events, attendees are urged to sign up for impact classes that pitch packages
ranging from $10,000 to $40,000, according to the podcast.
If attendees can't afford the price tag, Life Surge reportedly connects them
with third-party lenders who encourage them to apply for credit cards or take
out home-equity loans, according to the podcast.
Life Surge has denied any wrongdoing, according to the podcast.
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