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Ever since athletes endorsed chewing gum back in the 1920s, advertisers have considered them to be the perfect pitchmen. After all, they are strong, athletic, winners, and their feats are looked up to by children and adults alike. But, athletes are not actors. Some struggle with their lines, while others go to ridiculous lengths to advertise their product. So, let's look at some of the most disastrous ads done by athletes and coaches, because sometimes, even the most graceful athlete can make a fool of himself, just like anyone else.
Photo: Google/You Tube
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Pete Rose (Aqua Velva 1976): Pete Rose in any commercial from the 1970s and 80s was bound to rate high on the unintentional comedy scale. With his choir boy haircut and win-at-all-costs mentality, Rose seemed ill at ease performing in any commercials. But these Aqua Velva spots from the 70s take the cake, as Pete has to sing the jingle on the baseball field, and he looks none to comfortable doing it..
Photo: You Tube
Pete Rose sings
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Scottie Pippen (Mr. Submarine 1991): If you were wondering why Pippen never got half as many products to pitch as Michael Jordan, look no further than this ad for Mr. Submarine from his Bulls days. Pippen needs cheerleaders to help him eat the mile-long sub, then, in a moment that was ridiculous even then, he proceeds to dunk the sub through the hoop.
Photo: You Tube
Pippen for Mr. Submarine
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George Foreman (George Foreman Grill, 1994-present): George Foreman was a ferocious heavyweight fighter who destroyed any opponent in his path in the 1960 and 70s on his way to the title. The Foreman of the 1990s, though, well, that was another person altogether. The year he won the belt for the last time, 1994, Foreman partnered with inventors of a grill, and he became the face and name behind one of the most popular cooking appliances of the last two decades. Foreman's goofy informercials advertising the product helped make it the success it became.
Photo: Getty Images
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Walt 'Clyde' Frazier (Just For Men, 2007-present): Frazier was the epitome of cool as a guard for the New York Knicks, leading them to NBA titles in 1970 and 1973. But in recent years, he's been as recognizable for a series of Just For Men ads in which he and current partner Keith Hernandez say things like 'Your beard is weird' and 'Your stache is trash.'
Photo: You Tube
Frazier for Just For Men
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Jimmy Johnson (ExtenZe, 2010): Former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Hurricanes coach Jimmy Johnson surprised and horrified everyone when he started appearing in commercials for ExtenZe, revealing a side of himself most of America probably wishes he had hidden. And for those who forgot, Johnson's tagline was, 'Go long with ExtenZe. I do.'
Photo: You Tube
Jimmy Johnson 'goes long'
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Michael Jordan (Hanes, 2010): Jordan may be the top athlete pitchman of all time, but even he slips up every now and then. Take this Hanes commercial for 'Bacon Neck' three years ago. On the whole it is funny, and one of Jordan's more memorable ad spots, but a lot of the focus afterwards was rightfully on the creepy Hitler mustache Jordan sported for the shoot. He must have found it as offensive as everyone else did, because he has never used that look again.
Photo: You Tube
'Bacon Neck' Hanes commercial
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Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Phelps, Tony Hawk (Guitar Hero, 2008): Put four of the greatest athletes in their sports together in an abandoned house singing 'Old Time Rock and Roll' in their underwear like Tom Cruise in 'Risky Business,' and watch the hilarity ensue. Bryant is his usual intense self as the lead singer, but the one who steals the show is A-Rod, who busts out some 80s dance moves and looks like he's really feeling the music as he plays the guitar.
Photo: You Tube
Stars unite for Guitar Hero
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Charles Barkley (Weight Watchers, 2012): Sir Charles decided to turn into Mrs. Charles for this memorable Weight Watchers ad, in which his voice appeared to be hoarse from a night of cigar smoking as he described the benefits of the program for women. The problem is, everyone was too distracted by the scary sight of Charles in a wig and tight dress as he made his pitch. Chuck apparently liked the look so much, he again dressed in drag for a Saturday Night Live appearance the same year.
Photo: You Tube
Sir? Charles for Weight Watchers
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Joe Thesimann (Super Beta Prostate, 2012): Like Johnson, Theismann began appearing in disturbing late-night commercials, these about how the pills help keep him from going to the bathroom so much at night. While not nearly as shocking as the footage of the broken leg he suffered that ended his career, the image you are left with after Theismann finishes his pitch is still an unsettling one.
Photo: You Tube
Theismann for Super Beta
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Djibril Cisse (Mr Lenoir, 2013): QPR player Cisse picked the perfect time, with his team mired at the bottom of the Premier League with only two wins and only four goals scored in 20 games for himself, to release his new perfume. The advertisement alone takes you back to 1980s' black-and-white vintage style, though the joke going around is that not even Cisse's fragrance can erase the stench from QPR's lost season.
Photo: Daily Mail
Cisse pitches Mr. Lenoir
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Ever since athletes endorsed chewing gum back in the 1920s, advertisers have considered them to be the perfect pitchmen. After all, they are strong, athletic, winners, and their feats are looked up to by children and adults alike. But, athletes are not actors. Some struggle with their lines, while others go to ridiculous lengths to advertise their product. So, let's look at some of the most disastrous ads done by athletes and coaches, because sometimes, even the most graceful athlete can make a fool of himself, just like anyone else.
Photo: Google/You Tube
