Bill Maher Courts Controversy Over Tim Tebow Tweet

Getty Images

A tweet from liberal firebrand Bill Maher has incurred the wrath of conservatives across the U.S., who are now calling for a boycott of the political commentator's HBO series after he slammed Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.

Maher, after the Boncos lost 40-14 to the Buffalo Bills Saturday, tweeted, "Wow, Jesus just f***ed # TimTebow bad! And on Xmas Eve! Somewhere in hell Satan is tebowing, saying to Hitler "Hey, Buffalo's killing them."

Tebow, who has left sports fans in awe of his prowess on the football field, is known to be devoutly religious, and has popularized the term "tebowing" - as in getting down on a knee and praying as events, such as a football game, still unfold around you.

The comment by Maher, who is an atheist and took world religions to task in his 2008 documentary "Religulous," led to some colorful backlash, notable from Fox News' Eric Bolling: "Bill Maher is disgusting vile trash. I can't even repeat what he just tweeted about Tebow..on Christmas Eve. #straighttohellBill," a tweet from Bolling read.

Meanwhile, a movement to boycott Maher's HBO current events show "Real Time with Bill Maher" is developing across Twitter. The comedian has yet to comment on the controversy.

Maher's tweet must have been missed by Tebow himself, who after the game wrote on Twitter, "Tough game today but what's most important is being able to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas everyone GB2."

Maher is no stranger to controversy, or courting the wrath of the conservative right. Last year he began to release embarrassing old clips of tea party darling and political hopeful Christine O'Donnell from her appearances on his previous talk show "Politically Incorrect," and earlier this year calls for his ouster from HBO came after he discussed "hate sex" with GOP candidates Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum.

"Real Time with Bill Maher" returns to HBO on January 13.