The late Carl Weathers will appear in FanDuel’s Super Bowl ads, although the actor and former professional football player died last week.
FanDuel’s ad campaign leading up to the game features former tight end Rob Gronkowski reprising his “Kick of Destiny” from last year — and shows Weathers as his trainer.
Ads and trailers leading up to the kick, released before Weathers’ death on Feb. 1, play on his iconic role as Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movie franchise. Other shots in the spots reference more Weathers movies such as “Predator.”
Gronkowski will attempt the 25-yard kick before Super Bowl LVIII, and one of two versions of a FanDuel commercial will air in the second quarter depending on the result, according to Ad Age. Bettors receive an equal share of $10 million in bonus bets on the FanDuel app if he makes it.
The mobile sportsbook and daily fantasy app has adjusted the two versions of the ad as a result of Weathers’ death, though it did not detail what had been changed.
“FanDuel was fortunate to have had an opportunity to work with him during our Super Bowl campaign. We are adjusting our campaign accordingly out of respect for the family during their time of grief,” FanDuel told Ad Age.
The company has remained in contact with Weathers’ family to ensure the new version is respectful.
“We had built a master. One is an edit if he makes the kick and we have an edit if he misses. That content we had in those masters wouldn’t be appropriate for us to do anymore. … we have been working with editors to help us get back to something that does make sense,” FanDuel Executive Vice President of Marketing Andrew Sneyd told the Hollywood Reporter.
Professional wrestler and star of Max’s “Peacemaker” John Cena also appears in the ads as a rival to Gronkowski.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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