Adidas salutes Patrick Mahomes—and the kids who, one day, might be like him

Opinionated crafted ‘The Original Impossible’ as a tribute to the Super Bowl-winning quarterback

Published On
Feb 13, 2023

Editor's Pick

Adidas was not a Super Bowl advertiser this year, but it did get in on the action—rolling out a tribute spot to Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback who won his second Super Bowl on Sunday just days after picking up his second NFL MVP award.

The ad, which broke before the game on Adidas’ social channels, actually doesn’t show much of the 27-year-old QB at all. Instead, it’s filled with footage of kids whose fine motor skills are not exactly developed, and who can only dream of one day becoming as physical dominating as Mahomes.

The spot was made by the agency Opinionated—this is its fifth Adidas project.

The creative idea came from Mahomes’ preternatural ability as a youngster. He played varsity basketball, football and baseball in high school, and quite possibly could have turned pro in any of the three sports. And with his staggering accomplishments already in his still-young NFL career, the agency wondered if there was ever a time when he couldn’t do the impossible—thus, the focus on the kids.

The film mixes original and stock footage, and includes a moment with Mahomes and his daughter, filmed at home by his wife. 

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Patrick,” said Rupert Campbell, president of Adidas North America. “He shows us that ‘Impossible Is Nothing’ every time he steps on the field and it’s a joy to watch him play. This film brings to life the idea that ‘impossible’ is an invisible barrier that starts and ends in your head, as illustrated by one of Adidas’ greatest athletes of all time. We congratulate him on his winning Super Bowl performance to cap off a special MVP season.” 

The spot is running in digital and social, supported by “Impossible is Nothing”-themed outdoor ads in Arizona, Kansas City, and on the Portland, Oregon, Adidas campus. 

Credits

Date
Feb 13, 2023
Client :
Adidas
Agency :
Opinionated
Executive Creative Director :
Mark Fitzloff
Executive Creative Director :
Rob Palmer
President :
Trish Adams
Art Director :
Chris Groom
Copywriter :
Antony Goldstein
Head of Production :
Patty Brebner
Agency Producer :
Sandra Hagblom
Strategic Planning :
Dave Daines
Account Team :
Marcelina Ward
Account Team :
Ihsan Robbins
Account Team :
Michael Dalton
Business Affairs :
Birdie Mgmt
Production Company :
PRETTYBIRD
Director :
Max Malkin
Executive Producer :
Kerstin Emhoff
Executive Producer :
Suzanne Hargrove
Director of Photography :
Shawn Kim
Line Producer :
Bridgette Pugh
Production Manager :
Kendoysa Pratt
Editorial Company :
Arts Academy
Executive Producer :
Chelsea Spensley
Editor :
Peter Wiedensmith
Assistant Editor :
Jason Tawiah
Editorial Producer :
Kendall McCrory
Color & Finish :
CO3 NY
Telecine Producer :
Shannen Troup
Colorist :
Tom Poole
Online Artist :
Matt Welch
Online Producer :
Brian Buxton
VFX/Animation :
CO3 LA
VFX Artist :
Matt Welch
VFX Producer :
Brian Buxton
Composer :
Vivaldi
Record Studio :
Field Day Sound
Record Studio :
Arts Academy
Mix Studio :
Field Day Sound
Mixer :
Noah Woodburn
Media Agency :
Essence Media

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