Defending The NFL's Image, Give Me A Break

The New York Times had an article today called Mending a Bruised Image, about a new ad campaign the NFL is launching on TV and online to remind the fans not all the players spend their money on dog fighting, strippers, and drugs. Apparently Brady Quinn will be saving up his earnings to pay for law school. And did you know Vince Young's tattoos represent the women in his life...how sweet. But at a time like this, where the image of the NFL's players could be at it's worst, these ads seem forced. Shot in black and white and highlighting the off the field good deeds of some squeaky clean players makes my stomach turn. Really, is this what is going to change our image of the NFL? I doubt it. Watch the ads for yourself at the New York Times website. Sadly, The New York Times' website doesn't allow me to embed video, so you'll have to click through to watch these feel good spots for yourself (once they are up on YouTube, I'll embed away). In my opinion, the only way these ads are going viral, is if we are sending them around to laugh at how over-the-top the attempt is to make us feel good about our football stars.

Each player's ad:
Braylon Edwards
Willie McGinest
Brady Quinn
Vince Young
Matt Hassleback