A subliminal marketing scheme by spice rum maker Captain Morgan’s was killed by the NFL this week. The league learned that Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek’s touchdown celebration against the Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday where he struck the brand’s trademark pose was part of an advertising campaign designed by the rum makers, and has since the “Captain Morgan.”
Celek stuck the pose during the third quarter when he scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Donovan McNabb. He then sought out the cameras’ attention before placing his left-hand on his hip and raised his right leg, impersonating the Captain Morgan pirate.
As far as anyone knows, it’s the first time we’ve seen that type of guerilla-style advertising campaign in an NFL end zone. And if the league has its way, it will be the last, too. The “Captain Morgan” was effectively banned this week after the league learned of a wider campaign meant to get players to repeatedly strike the pose during NFL games.
“A company can’t pay a player to somehow promote it’s product on the field,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told Yahoo Sports. “Every league has the same rule. … It’s come up before, companies trying to use our games and then players for ambush marketing purposes.”
At 6’4, 270 lbs, New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace is a physically imposing man. The fact that he was training with mixed-martial artist Randy Couture during his four-game suspension earlier this season is an even scarier thought.
However, Pace is not considering a change in employment as the linebacker still enjoys breathing down the neck of NFL quarterbacks play in and play out. Pace has been an integral piece of the Jets defense the past two years, posting career-highs in sacks and forced fumbles a year ago. Just last week, he had three sacks in helping New York crush the Oakland Raiders 38-0.
Football is not the end sum of Pace’s lifestyle. Off the field he is very conscious about giving back to youth. His participation in the non-profit After School All-Stars “Touchdown Shutdown” charity program is a prime example of the player’s generosity. For every sack or tackle he has on the field a donation is made which is matched by a corporate sponsor.
Number 97 is also known to be quite the chef and sneaker aficionado. Scribe Culture got an opportunity to interview Pace and we discuss his team, charitable work, MMA training and leisure pursuits. Read the rest of this entry »
We forgive you! That was essentially Nike’s message to convicted dog torturer Michael Vick recently, two years after the company disassociated itself from the dynamic former Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
The Associated Press is reporting that Nike has re-signed Vick to a new sponsorship deal. Vick’s agent, Joel Segal, has not revealed the terms, although he told the SportsBusiness Journal the agreement was limited to the brand’s shoes.
Vick was signed to Nike as a rookie in 2001, but the company severed ties with him after he pled guilty to his involvement in a Virginia dog fighting ring. Upon his release, serving 18 months in federal prison, he was given a second chance by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Here’s an old Nike commercial advertising the “The Michael Vick Experience.”
A National Football League (NFL) defensive assistant coach reportedly suffered a broken jaw last week at the hands of the head coach, according to his lawyer John McGuinn on Monday.
Randy Hanson, who’s been on paid leave since the incident, told a Napa Valley Police Department detective last week that Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable struck him in the jaw, suffering a fracture. Hanson has also been told to stay away from the team’s facilities.
Reports from players indicated the alleged assault occurred during a coaches meeting during an August 5th training camp workout; McGuinn claims 3 defensive coaches were in the meeting room at the time of the incident.
After being interviewed for 90 minutes by a detective on Friday, Hanson turned over his medical records regarding the broken jaw. The NFL says it is investigating the incident.
Everyone’s probably heard of at least one superstition in their life, such as breaking a mirror and becoming jinxed. Well, if you are a player in the National Football League, the same could be said if you appear on the cover of the EA Sports Madden video game.
On Thursday night, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was injured when Alge Crumpler of the Tennessee Titans landed on top of his hyper-extended leg. Polamalu was the latest in a string of players to get injured after appearing on the cover of the videogame. The list includes Daunte Culpepper (5 missed games), Marshall Faulk (6), Michael Vick (11), and Donovan McNabb (7) – Brett Favre is the only player to avoid injury since 2002.
The Steelers’ safety will be out for 3-6 weeks with a sprain in his left medial collateral ligament. Hopefully Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who also appears on the right of this years Madden 10 cover, can avoid the same fate as his cover-mate.
Fortunately for wide receiver Plaxico Burress there is a silver lining in accepting a two-year plea deal from Manhattan’s district attorney. He will be able to sign and play for a team upon completion of his prison sentence for one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, said commissioner Roger Goodell.
His suspension from the league will run concurrent with his prison sentence. The one-time Super Bowl hero’s legal woes started last November when the 32-year-old accidently shot himself in the thigh inside the Latin Quarters nightclub.
“This is a very sad day because I think a very good man, who is a brilliant athlete, is unfortunately going to spend 20 months in prison,” said Burress’ lawyer Benjamin Brafman. “After an agonizing period of discussion, Plaxico decided that he wanted to put this behind him as soon as possible.”
The dizzy and confused quarterback Brett Favre has re-decided – we know that’s not a real word – that he wants to play football in the NFL this year for the Minnesota Vikings.
Favre, who a few weeks ago said he would stay re-retired – yeah that’s not in Webster’s either, was seen arriving in the twin cities today for a meeting with the team’s top brass. Although his agent Bus Cook told the AP via email that there was “no deal in place,” anyone who has kept up with this annoying diva’s antics in the last two or three years knows he’s probably made his final decision to suit up for the Vikings this year.
Personally, I’ve been a Favre fan throughout his stellar NFL career, but I’m starting to believe he’s a selfish narcissist who loves having his name in the press. Either you’re going to play or you’re not, and if you’re not sure then shut the fuck up until you’ve made your final “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” answer. This dude flip-flops more than a politician.
At 6’4, 270 lbs, New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace is a physically imposing man. The fact that he was training with mixed-martial artist Randy Couture during his four-game suspension earlier this season is an even scarier thought.
