Welcome to Week 7 of the NFL Flashback, where we’ve looked at some gems the NFL’s past. We’re nearly halfway through the season! Can you believe it?!
As we near the halfway point of the season, we’ve looked at commercials, watched a short film made by football team that wasn’t the Chicago Bears singing the Super Bowl Shuffle, looked at some predictions from the 1986 seasons, and spotted Dick Butkus making the rounds in the world of advertising.
I really hope he has a sense of humor.
If you’ve been reading all along, welcome back! Thank you for your loitering – I mean, dedication – yes, dedication! But if this is your first visit, you’ve got a little catching up to do. And so you can!
Week 1 – McDonald’s NFL Kickoff Payoff
Week 2 – “Hey, When Did You Get So Interested in Protection?”
Week 4 – Test Drives and Free Videos
Week 5 – Men Who Get Dirt on Their Uniforms Use Aqua Velva!
Week 6 – Masters of the Gridiron
And if you’re caught up (or newly caught up), let’s move on to Week 7, shall we?
I’m a New York Giants fan. Ok, so you’re probably laughing, but I am a fan. They’re 3-3, so I kinda have something to celebrate. Week 6 is merely oversight.
And so are weeks 1 and 2. What more do you want from me?!
While I’ve focused on other players and their product endorsements in the advertising I’ve spotlighted, I figured maybe I could try looking at an advertisement from the Giants’ past. Namely Frank Gifford.
The late Frank Gifford, a halfback/flanker, who wore #16 during his twelve seasons (1952-1960 and 1962-1964, he briefly retired in 1961 due to a sport-related head injury he sustained in 1960) with the New York Giants, won his only championship in 1956, played in eight Pro Bowls, and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. In addition, he was a sportscaster in Monday Night Football, the Olympics, and Wide World of Sports. He passed away on August 9, 2015, but left behind a legendary career as both a player and a sportscaster (which only ended after his affair with a flight attendant in 1997, and being regulated to a brief run on a pre-Monday Night Football show that was cancelled in 1999).
And that other job as Kathie Lee’s husband. How lucky of him.
We’re not here to talk about that stuff, we’re here to talk about fun stuff. And how’s this for fun? Gifford also did something else during his playing career – advertisements! Here’s a sampling of some of the ones I found floating around the interwebs!
A hair neatening product that doesn’t grease up white gloves? Where can I get this miracle product?!
Obviously not in the section with all those greasy hair products. Take that, Brylcreem!
And I did I mention that he liked to get lucky?
I’m talking about Lucky Strike cigarettes. What did you think I was talking about?!
And Frank was much more than a print advertising kind of guy…he also did COMMERCIALS!
He liked Planters…
…and Lucky Strikes after a particularly good game (and a well-earned shower)!
He also felt good about the margarine he used…
and the orange juice he drank.
Body wisdom told him to drink it!
And there you have it, the advertising past of someone that isn’t Dick Butkus. But he will be back, trust me on this one.
Someone please reassure me this man has a sense of humor.
Please?
NFL Flashback returns next week, as we officially move into the halfway point of the season.
Butkus will be back too…not next week, but soon.
Related Links
Week 1 – McDonald’s NFL Kickoff Payoff
Week 2 – “Hey, When Did You Get So Interested in Protection?”
Week 4 – Test Drives and Free Videos
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