FanDuel Super Bowl ad pays tribute to Carl Weathers

FanDuel’s “Kick of Destiny 2” Super Bowl commercial paid homage to the late actor Carl Weathers, who played Rob Gronkowski’s coach in the campaign. Weathers’ death earlier this month led the brand and agency Wieden+Kennedy to make adjustments to its Big Game campaign, which was built around a live pre-game field goal attempt by Gronkowski. Two versions of a second-quarter ad were created, one for either outcome of the kick. FanDuel encouraged its app users to pick whether Gronkowski would make or miss the kick, with winners sharing $10 million in bet credits at FanDuel. Gronkowski missed the kick for the second straight year. The game ad showed Weathers viewing the kick on TV and saying “You gave it your all, Gronk.” The ad ends with Weathers nodding to Gronkowski. An end card reads “Thank you Carl 1948-2024.” Weathers was 76 years old. Super Bowl commercials Tracking the latest brand and agency plans Enter here Weathers played Gronkowsi’s coach in the campaign, in a performance recalling his role as Apollo Creed in “Rocky III,” when he becomes Rocky Balboa’s fight trainer. John Cena played Gronkowsi’s rival, leading “Team Miss,” and is shown in the in-game ad celebrating the miss. FanDuel adjusted the Super Bowl ads to make the ads more “appropriate” Andrew Sneyd, FanDuel’s executive VP, marketing, told Variety. The actor’s family were supportive of Weathers remaining in the ad. In addition to the trailers for the campaign, Weathers appeared in marketing materials and in ads that ran in the Super Bowl pre-game show on CBS.

FanDuel Super Bowl ad pays tribute to Carl Weathers

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