“Gridiron Gladiator” is a common but colorful term for a professional football player. Ravens running back Derrick Henry is one of four NFL players who will presumably portray a gladiator in a new promotional spot.
The forthcoming advertisement will promote Pepsi, which in turn will promote the new sequel, Gladiator II. That is a lot of “synergy,” as business school types would say.
According to Sports Business Journal, Henry will be joined in the marketing promo by Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
The first “Gladiator” film, released nearly a quarter-century ago, won five Oscars, including Best Actor (Russell Crowe) and Best Picture. Ridley Scott is back as director, but Crowe isn’t returning for this edition of the series.
Denzel Washington is the most well-known actor in the blockbuster, which reportedly has a budget between $250 and $310 million. It is scheduled to be released on the weekend preceding the Thanksgiving holiday.
Henry’s getting this special gig is the clearest signal yet that the Ravens now have not one but two A-list stars on the team. Lamar Jackson has company.
Gladiator focuses on the bloody spectacle sports of Ancient Rome. These brutal, savage games have been analogized to football since the sport’s inception.
It should be interesting and fun to see actual NFL players portraying Ancient.
