When NFL stars reach the top of their game, something amazing happens. Companies start throwing money at them to promote their products.
It’s like a golden ticket that comes with fame. Most of the time, these deals make perfect sense.
You see quarterbacks promoting sports drinks or linemen endorsing protein supplements. But sometimes, things get really weird.
The weirdest endorsement deals in NFL history have given us some truly unforgettable moments.
A tough linebacker promoting adult diapers, or a Hall of Fame quarterback selling pantyhose. These deals prove that when money talks, even the manliest football players will listen.
What makes these endorsements so strange? Sometimes it’s the product itself that doesn’t match the player’s image.
Other times, it’s the crazy commercials that make you wonder what everyone was thinking. These deals remind us that fame can lead to some pretty bizarre business decisions.
Contents
- 1 Weirdest Endorsement Deals In NFL History
- 1.1 Top 10 Weirdest Endorsement Deals In NFL History
- 1.2 Ryan Kerrigan: Thompson Creek Windows
- 1.3 What Made This Deal So Strange:
- 1.4 Carson Palmer: John Morell’s Hot Dogs
- 1.5 The Problem With This Campaign:
- 1.6 DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews, Wes Welker: Depends
- 1.7 The Campaign Details:
- 1.8 Jonathan Ogden: Gebco
- 1.9 What Happened In These Ads:
- 1.10 Jake Delhomme And Steve Smith: Bojangles
- 1.11 The Commercial Breakdown:
- 1.12 Tom Brady: UGG
- 1.13 Why This Deal Was Surprising:
- 1.14 Ray Lewis: Snuggie
- 1.15 The Snuggie Problem:
- 1.16 Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon, William Perry: Silestone
- 1.17 The Commercial Concept:
- 1.18 Jimmy Johnson: Extenze
- 1.19 Why This Was So Uncomfortable:
- 1.20 Joe Namath: Beautymist Pantyhose
- 1.21 The Cultural Impact:
- 1.22 Frequently Asked Questions
- 1.23 Authority Resources For NFL Fans
- 1.24 Conclusion:
Weirdest Endorsement Deals In NFL History
From windows to hot dogs, from slippers to adult diapers, NFL players have endorsed it all.
Some of these campaigns were so weird that they became legendary for all the wrong reasons. But hey, at least the players got paid well for stepping outside their comfort zones.
Let’s dive into the most unusual product partnerships that had fans scratching their heads and laughing at the same time.
Top 10 Weirdest Endorsement Deals In NFL History
Thanks to LegendStadium.com team for sharing the list below of the Weirdest Endorsement Deals Taken by NFL Players.
Ryan Kerrigan: Thompson Creek Windows
Ryan Kerrigan spent almost ten years playing defense for Washington and became a fan favorite. After retiring, he moved into coaching with the Commanders. But during his playing days, he made one of the most unusual endorsement choices ever.
Kerrigan teamed up with Thompson Creek Windows for a series of commercials that were absolutely wild. The best part? He dressed up as a giant sun costume to scare people into buying new windows. Yes, you read that right – a professional football player dancing around in a bright yellow sun suit.
What Made This Deal So Strange:
- The costume: Seeing a tough NFL player in a silly sun outfit was jarring
- The dancing: Kerrigan had to do goofy moves while promoting the windows
- The concept: Using fear tactics about summer heat to sell windows
- The authenticity question: Nobody knew if Kerrigan actually used these windows
The commercials were meant to be fun and memorable, and they definitely succeeded in being memorable. Fans couldn’t believe they were watching their favorite defender jumping around in a costume that looked like it came from a children’s TV show.
Carson Palmer: John Morell’s Hot Dogs
Carson Palmer had a solid NFL career with multiple Pro Bowl appearances. He led the Bengals through some good seasons and later played for the Cardinals. But his most memorable moment might not be from the football field.
Palmer starred in a commercial for John Morell’s Hot Dogs that became legendary for being unintentionally funny. In the ad, he shows up at a family picnic to “save the day” with the right brand of hot dogs.
The Problem With This Campaign:
| Issue | Why It Was Awkward |
|---|---|
| Script Writing | Palmer had to talk about “sausages and wieners” in ways that sounded weird |
| Acting Skills | He wasn’t a natural actor, and it showed |
| Product Match | Hot dogs didn’t seem like a natural fit for a quarterback |
| Delivery | His serious tone didn’t match the silly concept |
The commercial tried to be serious about hot dogs, which made it even funnier. Palmer delivered his lines like he was calling plays in a crucial game, but he was just talking about processed meat.
DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews, Wes Welker: Depends
This might be the strangest group endorsement in NFL history. Three active NFL stars – DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews, and Wes Welker – all agreed to promote Depends adult diapers. Let that sink in for a moment.
The campaign was tied to charity work, which made it slightly more acceptable. But it was still incredibly weird to see three players in their prime promoting products designed for elderly people or those with medical conditions.
The Campaign Details:
- Fan voting: People could vote on which player should model the diapers
- Charity angle: The promotion was linked to charitable causes
- Image mismatch: Young, athletic men promoting adult diapers felt wrong
- Career timing: All three were still playing at high levels
The players tried to make it work by focusing on the charity aspect. But no amount of good intentions could make this endorsement feel normal. Fans were confused, and the campaign became more famous for being weird than for helping charity.
Jonathan Ogden: Gebco
Jonathan Ogden was the first Ravens player to make the Hall of Fame. He was known for his excellent play and his fun personality on and off the field. His dancing skills were almost as famous as his blocking abilities.
But his endorsement deal with Gebco, a local Baltimore insurance company, produced some truly bizarre commercials. The production value was low, and the concept was even stranger.
What Happened In These Ads:
- Car destruction: Ogden would somehow smash cars just by standing near them
- Weird dancing: He’d do goofy moves with random women
- Cheap production: The commercials looked like they were made for very little money
- Confusing message: Nobody understood how Ogden destroying cars related to insurance
These ads were so strange that they became local legends in Baltimore. Fans would talk about them more than they talked about some of Ogden’s best games. They definitely weren’t included in his Hall of Fame highlight reel.
Jake Delhomme And Steve Smith: Bojangles
Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith were teammates on the Carolina Panthers and decided to team up for a Bojangles chicken restaurant commercial. The endorsement itself wasn’t that weird – athletes promoting food is pretty normal. But the commercial they made was absolutely insane.
The ad was themed after the “The Dukes of Hazzard” TV show. Delhomme and Smith played characters racing away from police cars in a car that looked like the famous General Lee. But instead of a Confederate flag on the roof, they had a giant chicken.
The Commercial Breakdown:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Theme | Dukes of Hazzard parody |
| Vehicle | Modified General Lee with giant chicken |
| Action | High-speed chase scenes |
| Stunts | Crazy driving and jumping |
| Product Placement | Chicken restaurant promotion |
The commercial was so over-the-top that it became a cult classic in the Carolinas. Fans loved seeing their favorite players in such a ridiculous situation. At least both players probably got unlimited chicken out of the deal.
Tom Brady: UGG
Tom Brady is considered the greatest quarterback of all time. He’s won multiple Super Bowls and has endorsement deals with high-end brands like watches, cars, and designer clothes. So when he became the face of UGG boots, people were surprised.
UGG boots are popular with both men and women, but they’re mostly associated with female fashion in North America. Seeing the GOAT quarterback promoting what many people consider “women’s shoes” was definitely unexpected.
Why This Deal Was Surprising:
- Gender associations: UGGs were seen as mainly for women
- Image mismatch: Brady’s tough-guy image vs. cozy slippers
- Product type: Footwear wasn’t Brady’s usual endorsement category
- Market perception: Many questioned if men would buy UGGs because of Brady
To Brady’s credit, he was apparently a genuine fan of the boots long before the endorsement deal. He claimed they were his favorite casual footwear and said he owned more UGGs than designer shoes. Still, it was strange to see the most successful NFL player promoting fuzzy boots.
Ray Lewis: Snuggie
Ray Lewis was one of the most intense players in NFL history. He won two Super Bowls with the Ravens and was known for his passionate pregame speeches and bone-crushing tackles. So when he started promoting Snuggie blankets, fans were completely confused.
Lewis had his own clothing line called RL52 Style, which made sense for a fashion-conscious athlete. But adding Snuggie blankets to his collection was a bizarre choice that nobody saw coming.
The Snuggie Problem:
| Issue | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Image clash | Tough linebacker promoting cozy blankets |
| Product quality | Snuggies were seen as cheap novelty items |
| Target market | Blankets didn’t match his fan base |
| Fashion credibility | Hurt his serious fashion line’s reputation |
The Snuggie is basically a blanket with sleeves that makes you look like you’re wearing a backwards robe. Seeing Ray Lewis, one of the most intimidating players ever, promoting something so cuddly was surreal. It was like watching a lion sell teddy bears.
Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon, William Perry: Silestone
The 1985 Chicago Bears were one of the greatest teams in NFL history. They went 15-1 in the regular season and destroyed everyone in the playoffs. Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon, and William Perry were all legends from that team.
Years later, they reunited for one of the strangest commercials ever made. They promoted Diana Pearl Silestone, a company that makes fancy countertops and bathtubs. The commercial was so weird that it made their famous “Super Bowl Shuffle” look normal.
The Commercial Concept:
- Tagline repetition: Each player said “I am Diana Pearl”
- Gender confusion: Three masculine NFL legends claiming to be “Diana”
- Product mismatch: Football players selling bathroom fixtures
- Celebrity cameo: Dennis Rodman appeared in a bathtub also claiming to be Diana Pearl
The ad was trying to be artistic and memorable, but it just came across as confusing and strange. Fans couldn’t understand why these football legends were pretending to be a woman named Diana Pearl. It made the Super Bowl Shuffle look like a masterpiece.
Jimmy Johnson: Extenze
Jimmy Johnson built the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s, winning back-to-back Super Bowls as their coach. After coaching, he became a respected analyst on Fox NFL Sunday. But somewhere along the way, he made a very questionable endorsement choice.
Johnson appeared in commercials for Extenze, a male enhancement supplement. The ads were filmed on the sidelines of NFL games, which made them even more awkward. Johnson, a respected football mind, was promoting a product designed to help with very personal male issues.
Why This Was So Uncomfortable:
- Reputation risk: Johnson was a respected analyst and coach
- Product nature: Male enhancement supplements are controversial
- Setting: NFL sidelines weren’t the right place for this type of ad
- Colleague reactions: His Fox NFL Sunday co-hosts made fun of the campaign
The commercials became a source of embarrassment for Johnson. His colleagues on TV would joke about the ads, and fans couldn’t take him seriously when discussing football strategy. It was a reminder that some endorsement money isn’t worth the damage to your reputation.
Joe Namath: Beautymist Pantyhose
This is the granddaddy of all weird NFL endorsements. Joe Namath was a Super Bowl champion and one of the biggest stars in the NFL during the early 1970s. He was handsome, successful, and could have endorsed almost anything. So what did he choose? Pantyhose.
The Beautymist Pantyhose commercial showed a pair of legs in stockings. The camera slowly panned up to reveal that the legs belonged to Namath himself. He delivered the famous line: “If Beautymist can make my legs look this good, imagine what they can do for yours.”
The Cultural Impact:
| Aspect | Result |
|---|---|
| Controversy | Huge scandal when it aired |
| Gender norms | Challenged 1970s ideas about masculinity |
| Media attention | National news coverage |
| Career impact | Made Namath even more famous |
| Legacy | Still talked about 50 years later |
The commercial was shocking for its time. Men wearing women’s clothing in advertisements was almost unheard of in the 1970s. Namath’s willingness to break gender barriers made him even more of a cultural icon, but it also created enormous controversy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do NFL players make such weird endorsement deals?
NFL players often make strange endorsement choices because the money is good, and they want to show their personality outside of football. Sometimes they don’t fully understand how the final commercial will look until it’s too late.
- Do these weird endorsements hurt players’ reputations?
It depends on the player and the product. Some weird endorsements become beloved by fans (like Brady’s UGG deal), while others can damage credibility (like Jimmy Johnson’s Extenze campaign).
- Are NFL players required to use the products they endorse?
No, players aren’t legally required to use endorsed products. However, many contracts include clauses about not publicly criticizing or using competitor products.
- Which weird endorsement made the most money?
Exact figures aren’t public, but Tom Brady’s UGG deal was reportedly worth millions and lasted for years, making it likely the most profitable weird endorsement.
- Do teams have any control over player endorsements?
NFL teams can include endorsement restrictions in player contracts, but they usually focus on preventing deals with competitors or inappropriate brands rather than weird products.
Authority Resources For NFL Fans
If you want to learn more about NFL endorsements and player marketing, check out these trusted sources:
- NFL.com – Official league website with player news and updates
- ESPN NFL – Comprehensive coverage of NFL business and endorsements
- Pro Football Reference – Detailed player statistics and career information
- Sports Business Journal – Industry insights on sports marketing deals
Conclusion:
The weirdest endorsement deals in NFL history prove that fame can lead to some truly bizarre business decisions.
From Joe Namath in pantyhose to Ray Lewis selling Snuggies, these deals show that NFL players are willing to step way outside their comfort zones for the right price.
Some of these endorsements became legendary for being so strange that they’re still talked about decades later.
Others were quickly forgotten because they were too awkward for everyone involved.
But they all remind us that behind the tough exterior of NFL players are people willing to take risks and have some fun with their fame.
The next time you see a weird celebrity endorsement, remember that NFL players paved the way for strange product partnerships.
They proved that if you’re famous enough, people will pay you to promote almost anything – even if it makes absolutely no sense.
These deals also show us that authenticity matters in marketing.
The endorsements that worked best were the ones where players seemed to genuinely enjoy the product or the commercial concept.
The ones that failed were usually the result of players just taking money without considering how the deal would affect their image.
Whether these endorsements were brilliant marketing moves or career mistakes, they’ve certainly given us some unforgettable moments in advertising history.
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