04/19/24
November 12, 2009
NFL Sinks Captain Morgan Stunt: Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek did a Captain Morgan in the end zone after scoring a touchdown in the 20-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night. The unexpected gesture, which was completely ignored by NBC's TV broadcast even though it drew a 15-yard penalty, was sparked by the rum maker's plans to give $10,000 to charity each time a player struck the pose. Although Celek denied knowing about the campaign, "an account executive handling the promotion told Yahoo! Sports the Eagles tight end was indeed involved." The NFL is now taking steps to stop it from happening again. "It's come up before, companies trying to use our games and then players for ambush marketing purposes," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.
"A company can't pay a player to somehow promote it's product on the field," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told Yahoo! Sports this week.
A company can only pay the NFL to somehow promote it's product on the field
posted by Demophon at 03:53 PM on November 12, 2009
And this is a case that I might have to take issue with celebration of the athlete. Charity contribution notwithstanding.
Choreographed end zone dances I'm OK with. Choreographed endzone dances that are adverts for product I'm not so much.
Now I sound like I can't make up my mind after the Chad 85 thread.
posted by THX-1138 at 03:59 PM on November 12, 2009
Even if the NFL player makes no money, Captain Morgan is profiting from the stunt. I can't blame the NFL for sending this marketing campaign down to Davy Jones' locker.
posted by rcade at 04:00 PM on November 12, 2009
In this case, I agree that player's shouldn't be getting money from sponsors for their endzone celebrations. On the other hand, I'm totally opposed to what he did being a 15-yard penalty. Not dangerous + not cheating = not a penalty.
posted by TheQatarian at 04:18 PM on November 12, 2009
Since the charity Captain Morgan's was planning to donate to, Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, is there to support the needs of ex-NFL players, it's probably a bit of the thumb in the eye for the league to have this sort of thing happen. Maybe the league should donate to Gridiron Greats for every scorer who puts his head down and trots back to the huddle, but that might require an admission that the NFL should be doing something for these needy retirees in the first place.
posted by Hugh Janus at 04:27 PM on November 12, 2009
NFL versus soulless marketing executives. I'm confused: someone tell me who to hate on this one. Or can I root against both sides?
posted by yerfatma at 04:35 PM on November 12, 2009
I think a better solution would have been the NFL ordering that all of its players at some point, say between first and second quarters, strike the pose in every game one weekend. 53 players per team X 32 teams X $10,000 = $16,960,000, assuming I have the number of players and teams correct and my math skills did not fail after 1 + 1. That would: one, build up the Gridiron Great coffers quickly, and two, probably put a quick stop to the promotion.
posted by graymatters at 05:41 PM on November 12, 2009
This was not a penalty until another player came over and propped up his leg. Then it violated the rules and was a penalty.
posted by twgibsr at 05:54 PM on November 12, 2009
graymatters it is only 45 players active on each team on sundays. they have 8 players inactive on each team. so that would bring the amount to 14,400,000
posted by twgibsr at 05:57 PM on November 12, 2009
Any cash for the coaches or cheerleaders then? Officials? Can we double-dip by having them all do it twice a game?
posted by graymatters at 06:41 PM on November 12, 2009
NFL versus soulless marketing executives. I'm confused: someone tell me who to hate on this one. Or can I root against both sides?
I've got a good one for you; a bunch of marketing people and NFL executives get on a plane. The plane crashes.
What, aren't you smiling now?
posted by dfleming at 06:50 PM on November 12, 2009
So what was Janet Jackson pitching during the Super Bowl halftime show? Vicks Vap-O-Rub?
posted by beaverboard at 08:02 PM on November 12, 2009
I hate the way the league is clamping down on celebrations after scores, the cameras cut away from a lot of it anyways, and the fans at the games don't seem to mind.
I do understand that the league can't have players promoting products, especially alcoholic beverages... has to be a hard set line, i get that.
I believe Jackson was pitching this product.
posted by dviking at 08:12 PM on November 12, 2009
Dammit!!! You beat me to it. Here's to the ol' Capt!