Simone Biles joins Lil Wayne, Saweetie and DK Metcalf in the NFL's epic Kickoff pep rally

The star-studded ad also features Saints defensive end Cam Jordan and TikTok star Josh Richards

Published On
Sep 06, 2022

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Having followed its star-studded Kickoff spot at the end of August with a series of teasers starring the likes of Lil Wayne and Saweetie alongside top NFL players, the NFL will go live with the full-length spot during the first game of the season on Sept. 8. 

The full 75-second film by 72andSunny reveals other celebrity cameos, including gymnast Simone Biles and TikTok star Josh Richards, as they all take part in a massive pep rally held in a school gym. Biles is wearing a Texans uniform, which is likely a nod to her fiancé Jonathan Owens, who plays for the team.

The spot starts with a piano solo from Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver DK Metcalf in a sleeveless tux, before the music, Dr. Dre’s anthem “Still D.R.E,” takes hold. (The track was performed at this year's Super Bowl Halftime Show.)

Metcalf gets things started with a rallying call before Biles bursts her way into the proceedings in a gymnastic routine. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan then announces "there's no fans like football fans,"  Lil Wayne launches jerseys into the crowd with a t-shirt cannon and Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker goes operatic in a tux, singing the tagline: "It feels good to football!" 

Other notable non-player appearances in the new campaign include Chomps the Cleveland Browns mascot; the Carolina Panthers' cheer squad; DJ Livia; Young Dylan, the Nickelodeon actor and host of NFL on Nickelodeon; Buffalo Bills Super Fan Pinto Ron; Frankie Lapenna, the "green screen guy" and social media content creator; and professional boxer Ryan Garcia.

The ad was directed by The Malloys via Superprime and was created by 72andSunny. It "set out to stoke excitement ahead of the new season in a way that would both celebrate, energize and unite NFL fans," the agency said in a statement.

“In small towns across America, communities come together before the start of their local football seasons to rally behind their team," said Zach Hilder, executive creative director at 72andSunny, in a statement. "In this kickoff campaign, we’re creating a pep rally fit for the NFL featuring some of the biggest players, best fans, and coolest football personalities in one epic celebration of the upcoming season.”

The spot will air during the first game of the regular season, when the Bills take on the defending Super Bowl champion Rams on Sept. 8 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The game will be broadcast at 8:20 pm EDT on NBC. 

Along with the 75-second version seen here, a variety of cut-down versions of the ad will also run on NFL channels. These will include a series of 15-second versions that feature individual talent starring in the campaign.