A Pitchman For Every Product
Finding an athlete to plug your product can be costly, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.
Past experience shows that these guys will promote virtually anything, if the price is right.
Having said that, it seems appropriate to recall a few of the most unusual, strange or downright disturbing sports endorsements over the years. Here’s one person’s top 10:
10. Michael Vick for AirTran. This, of course, happened in the days before dog fighting. When the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback failed to show at a Capitol Hill function in 2007, he blamed the airline that he endorses for a late flight that caused him to miss a connection.
9. Bill Clement for Deep Woods Off! The hockey announcer appeared shirtless twice for Deep Woods in ads 10 years apart. In the second ad, he talked of battling the West Nile virus. Shirtless. In a tent. A hockey announcer. Just plain weird.
8. Derek Jeter endorses Avon. OK, he does have his own own fragrance with Avon, but isn’t that stuff what your grandmother had stockpiled under her bathroom all those years?
7. Mike Piazza for Pert Plus. Not only does he have fabulous hair, he does a helluva job blocking the plate! Nothing makes a major league catcher seem tougher than a feathered ’do.
6. Jim McMahon and Gotcha! After winning the 1986 Super Bowl, the Chicago Bears plugged everything. But one commercial had McMahon sitting apparently nude by his pool, shooting a paint ball gun at the hired help. That’s what eccentric millionaires do when they loose their minds.
5. Carson Palmer and John Morrell wieners. Go Long-er! An inch longer than the competition! Oh, Carson …
4. George Brett for Preparation H. Do you think Brett took some flak in the clubhouse for this one? Pine tar would seem to be the second-creepiest substance Brett dabbled with.
3. Rafael Palmeiro for Viagra. In hindsight, it was no surprise. The former Texas Ranger was later found to have used other chemicals to increase his performance.
2. Joe Namath for Hanes’ Beauty Mist pantyhose. OK, the guy was pretty comfortable with his sexuality in 1973. But did we really need to see him in pantyhose? “Now, I don't wear pantyhose, but if Beauty Mist can make my legs look good, imagine what they'll do for yours.” Ugh.
1. Muhammad Ali for d-Con roach spray. Despite his immense popularity, Ali was never a major endorser because his political views were thought to be too controversial for mainstream advertisers. Not so for d-Con. The commercials showed Ali’s humor and his infectious good nature, and the company sold more product than it ever had before their 10-year relationship.




