National Football League

Robertson: Tebow skit 'disgusting'

Published Dec. 20, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Pat Robertson, televangelist and a leader in the Christian Right movement, has blasted the "Saturday Night Live" parody that featured Jesus visiting NFL star Tim Tebow in the locker room.

"There's an anti-Christian bigotry that is just disgusting and I think 'Saturday Night Live' did a parody of that, had Jesus come in," Robertson said Monday on "The 700 Club," that airs on the Christian Broadcasting Network.

"If this had been a Muslim country and they had done that, and had Muhammad doing that stuff, you would have found bombs being thrown off!" he added.

"SNL" cast member Jason Sudeikis played Jesus in the skit, who chastised Tebow for being too religious and encouraging him to work on his athletic ability.

"The Holy Bible is my playbook," Tebow, played by comedian Taran Killam, says in the sketch that aired Saturday.

"That's great," replies Jesus, played by Sudeikis. "But you need to read the regular playbook. Seriously, okay? I'm doing all the work here."

Robertson praised Tebow for being "an example, and I think he is a wonderful human being."

"We need more religious faith in our society. We're losing our moral compass in our nation and this man has been placed in a unique position and I applaud him. God bless him," he added.

The very religious Tebow has become one of the most polarizing players in NFL history this season. Before Sunday's 41-23 loss to New England, the Broncos had won six games in a row — mostly in thrilling fashion — by relying on Tebow's running ability and a minimal passing attack.