“ATTENTION HOTTIES,” Megan Thee Stallion captioned an Instagram post on Thursday morning, September 5. “WE ARE OFFICIALLY FAMOUS WE GOT A PEPSI COMMERCIAL.”
Yes, Pepsi and Paramount Global partnered for a brand new commercial blending Paramount’s forthcoming Gladiator II and the 2024 NFL season.
The three-minute spot begins with actors Jake Lacy and Lamorne Morris bragging about their respective fantasy teams. Then, we’re taken inside of their freshly served Pepsi can, which transforms into a Roman Coliseum. Travis Kelce, Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, and Justin Jefferson stalk out dressed as gladiators. Kelce, always hogging the spotlight, screams, “Are you ready?!” Megan Thee Stallion interrupts him to unleash tigers into the Coliseum and starts singing her unique spin on Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”
“Megan Thee Stallion is going to get people to pay attention; Travis Kelce and Josh Allen are going to get people to pay attention,” Paramount President Of Advertising John Halley told the publication. “It’s a first-class branding moment for Pepsi and one that is going to last.”
The new NFL season begins on Thursday night with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens. The game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
A New Jersey family court judge ruled that Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the father of a baby girl. The order, made by Judge Aldo J. Russo on June 26 and first obtained by the Daily Mail, states that an ‘interim child support obligation’ has been agreed to between Jefferson and the child’s mother, Andrea Galea. The judge’s order did not get into the specifics of their arrangement, but it did say that the parents will attend “private mediation.”
Justin Jefferson and Andrea Galea dated from 2019 to April 2023. The two of them went to LSU at the same time. Jefferson left after two seasons and a national championship to go to the NFL, quickly becoming a superstar wide receiver. Galea is a licensed attorney, earning her law degree from the University of Miami in 2023. Galea claimed that Jefferson impregnated her in April 2023. Jefferson responded by filing a lawsuit in January to prevent Galea from publicly sharing information about the child. Galea accused Jefferson of pressuring her to abort the child after she became pregnant. In texts obtained by the Daily Mail, Jefferson asked if she took Plan B, a pregnancy preventing pill. She decided against Plan B and an abortion, giving birth to baby Stella in December, according to her paternity lawsuit.
In their counter claims filed in January, both Justin Jefferson and Andrea Galea requested paternity testing. Galea also pushed for financial support and healthcare coverage from Jefferson. Since coming into the NFL, Jefferson has signed a four-year contract with the Vikings worth $140 million. Over $100 million of which is guaranteed. The requested paternity test confirmed that Jefferson was the father of Galea’s daughter.
The order also requires civil communications between the parents, who must deal directly with each other rather than speaking through any intermediaries. “All communication between the parties shall be in a non-derogatory, non-harassing manner only about the health, education, and well-being of the minor child,” said Russo. “A party receiving a communication shall respond to that communication within 6 hours or less.” Hopefully, Justin Jefferson and Andrea Galea resolve their dispute so that their daughter can live a drama-free life.
A New Jersey family court judge ruled that Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the father of a baby girl. The order, made by Judge Aldo J. Russo on June 26 and first obtained by the Daily Mail, states that an ‘interim child support obligation’ has been agreed to between Jefferson and the child’s mother, Andrea Galea. The judge’s order did not get into the specifics of their arrangement, but it did say that the parents will attend “private mediation.”
Justin Jefferson and Andrea Galea dated from 2019 to April 2023. The two of them went to LSU at the same time. Jefferson left after two seasons and a national championship to go to the NFL, quickly becoming a superstar wide receiver. Galea is a licensed attorney, earning her law degree from the University of Miami in 2023. Galea claimed that Jefferson impregnated her in April 2023. Jefferson responded by filing a lawsuit in January to prevent Galea from publicly sharing information about the child. Galea accused Jefferson of pressuring her to abort the child after she became pregnant. In texts obtained by the Daily Mail, Jefferson asked if she took Plan B, a pregnancy preventing pill. She decided against Plan B and an abortion, giving birth to baby Stella in December, according to her paternity lawsuit.
In their counter claims filed in January, both Justin Jefferson and Andrea Galea requested paternity testing. Galea also pushed for financial support and healthcare coverage from Jefferson. Since coming into the NFL, Jefferson has signed a four-year contract with the Vikings worth $140 million. Over $100 million of which is guaranteed. The requested paternity test confirmed that Jefferson was the father of Galea’s daughter.
The order also requires civil communications between the parents, who must deal directly with each other rather than speaking through any intermediaries. “All communication between the parties shall be in a non-derogatory, non-harassing manner only about the health, education, and well-being of the minor child,” said Russo. “A party receiving a communication shall respond to that communication within 6 hours or less.” Hopefully, Justin Jefferson and Andrea Galea resolve their dispute so that their daughter can live a drama-free life.
Justin Jefferson is staying put in the Twin Cities. The speedy receiver made history on Monday by signing the highest contract for a non-quarterback in NFL history. Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract with $110 million guaranteed.
Jefferson confirmed the news on Instagram, calling it “the deal I’ve been waiting for since I was a little kid.” This landmark agreement underscores Jefferson’s immense value to the Vikings, as he has quickly become one of the league’s most dynamic and productive wide receivers since being drafted in 2020.
The 24-year-old LSU alum has consistently dazzled fans and opponents alike with his speed, agility, and reliable hands, solidifying his reputation as one of the NFL’s elite receivers. Jefferson has already amassed numerous accolades in just a few seasons, including Pro Bowl selections and setting multiple franchise records for the Vikings.
This historic contract secures Jefferson’s future with the Vikings and sets a new benchmark for non-quarterback player contracts in the NFL.
This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings saw significant roster changes. Two of their stars, Kirk Cousins to Atlanta and Danielle Hunter to the Texans, left the team in free agency. They also made some significant additions of their own. They added Aaron Jones from the rival Packers and Jonathan Greenard to lead a revamped defensive line. In the Draft, Minnesota moved up to take QB JJ McCarthy at No. 10 overall. Even though the roster saw significant changes, the Vikings’ primary goal had to be signing All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson to a new contract. Signing JJ would be smart so that they could give McCarthy, their prospective franchise quarterback, a genuine top target.
The market was reset a couple of times as Jefferson and the Vikings took their time in negotiating a contract while other elite receivers received big salaries throughout the league. After much negotiation, the agreement was ultimately completed on Monday. Adam Schefter revealed the terms of the four-year, $140 million contract, which includes a $110 million guarantee. This makes Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Justin Jefferson Signs Highest Contract Ever For A Receiver
Jefferson has been one of the NFL’s best receivers since being selected in the first round out of LSU and moving to Minnesota. Despite playing just 10 games due to injuries last year, he managed to surpass the 1,000-yard mark, something he has never done before in a season. With 5,899 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns in his first four years in the NFL, Jefferson has been recognized for three All-Pro selections (one on the first team) and won the 2022 AP Offensive Player of the Year award.
His new pay surpasses the large contract the San Francisco 49ers awarded defensive end Nick Bosa the previous season. Furthermore, it is higher than other recent wide receiver agreements, such as those inked by Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown earlier this summer. Bosa’s annual salary is almost $34 million, but Jefferson has surpassed him by more than a million dollars. He is now committed to the Vikings for the long haul, and in order to maintain his high caliber of play, he will aim to develop a rapport with the team’s new quarterback.
Netflix is set to launch a new sports series, Receivers, following prominent NFL pass catchers throughout the 2023-24 season. The show will spotlight Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The series, produced by NFL Films, Omaha Productions, and 2PM Productions, will consist of eight 45-minute episodes. Executive producers include Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Pat Kelleher, Keith Cossrow, and Patrick Mahomes.
“The natural progression is from a pass to a catch, so we’re excited to dive into the Receiver world after the success of our Quarterback series,” said Gabe Spitzer, Vice President, Nonfiction Sports, Netflix. “NFL Films and Omaha Productions have delivered again in finding unique and dynamic athletes who will further highlight the drama of this sport on and off the field.”
“We are excited to be working again with Netflix and NFL Films to give fans unprecedented access to what it’s like to play receiver at the highest level,” said Peyton Manning. “As we did with Quarterback, we look forward to telling the stories of five incredible receivers, each with their unique personality, skillset, and motivation for what drives them to be the best.”
Joining Netflix’s diverse sports lineup, which includes hits like “Quarterback” and “Formula 1: Drive To Survive,” the series underscores Netflix’s commitment to delivering compelling sports narratives. With partnerships spanning major sports leagues, including the NFL, Formula 1, PGA TOUR, and FIFA, Netflix continues to captivate audiences with gripping sports content.
August marks Play Football Month, and the NFL is kicking it off with a spirited youth flag football campaign titled “Let’s Play,” starring none other than Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and newly appointed Global Flag Football Ambassador Justin Jefferson. The campaign aims to ignite the passion for flag football among kids and teens, transcending age and gender barriers while showcasing the sport’s athleticism and emerging talents.
“I’m very honored to play a role in the NFL’s ‘Let’s Play’ campaign to help bring attention to the great game of flag football and showcase how much fun it is and that anyone and everyone can play,” said Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver. “As a Global Flag Football Ambassador, I truly believe in this sport and want to show kids why it’s one of the fastest growing games out there.”
“It doesn’t get much better than working with Justin, one of the league’s best NFL players, to show that flag is fun, fast and inclusive, but then integrating authentic fans with great football stories, like Deestroying and Jada Vick, just takes it to the next level,” said MARISSA SOLIS, SVP Global Brand and Consumer Marketing at the NFL. “Flag is the embodiment of ‘football is for everyone,’ and we are continuing to show that year round, from this pre-season campaign up to The Pro Bowl Games, where the league’s best will play action-packed flag football.”
The vibrant video unfolds in a high school setting, with Jefferson seizing the intercom to challenge students who are perceived as “too much,” “too bold,” “too loud,” or “not loud enough.” These same individuals then dazzle on the field, revealing the game’s fast-paced intensity, competitiveness, and sheer fun. Synced to the upbeat beats of “Superhero” by METRO BOOMIN, the ad stars actual youth flag players, alongside notable appearances from YouTube sensation Deestroying, Quavo, Mark Philips, U.S. Women’s team flag football quarterback Vanita Krouch, and NFL legend Michael Vick and daughter Jada, who is a rising quarterback with a full scholarship to Reinhardt University.
Flag football’s global appeal is undeniable, engaging over 20 million enthusiasts in more than 100 countries across continents. Its inclusive and accessible nature, appealing to all ages and genders, is key to its remarkable growth, with women and girls playing a pivotal role.
The NFL has announced that the 2024 Pro Bowl Games will occur in Orlando, Florida. This annual event was redesigned last year to focus on flag football, with Pro Bowl players engaging in AFC vs. NFC flag games. Alongside these games, the NFL FLAG Championships will be presented in collaboration with RCX Sports. This championship will include top youth flag teams from the United States and an International Division featuring teams from around the world, reflecting the game’s growing global popularity.
In a groundbreaking move, the NFL recently organized the Flag All 32 Summer Invitational, a two-day tournament held in Washington, D.C. This event featured NFL FLAG youth teams from across the nation competing in two flag football leagues: 14U Coed and 17U Girls, with each league comprising 32 teams, each representing a different NFL club. This invitational marked a historic moment as all NFL clubs participated in a unified youth event aimed at promoting flag football.
“The NFL celebrates youth and high school football throughout the year,” said SARAH BISHOP, VP of Brand and Consumer Marketing at the NFL. “Through camps, activities, and NFL Flag and tackle leagues, our Play Football initiative provides a fun, engaging experience for players of all ages and skill levels, equipping young people with key life skills that are building blocks to success on and off the field.”
Justin Jefferson proudly joins the roster of NFL Global Flag Football Ambassadors, a team consisting of male and female athletes, Legends, coaches, and officials. United in their mission, they’re amplifying the profile of this swiftly expanding sport, championing its unique values and fostering its global ascent.