ESPN’s brand new SEC Network is set to launch the first day of the 2014 college football season, Aug. 14. To spread the word about the new network and to encourage fans to tell their cable or satellite provider to add the network to their lineup, ESPN has rolled out 14 school-specific ads.
The ads run from silly to sentimental. Tennessee’s shows a mother quietly singing “Rocky Top” to her newborn baby (no word yet on whether or not she was arrested for child abuse). Florida’s shows the history of “the Chomp.” But the ads for Alabama’s SEC schools stand out as two of the best.
ESPN found a classic audio clip of coach Paul “Bear” Bryant speaking to an incoming crop of Freshman and used it to create what is perhaps the most powerful of the 14 commercials.
“If you are willing to give a little extra, and we do that as a team — 11 at the time — you’ll be walking out of here a national champ,” Bryant says. “And I’ll tell you this: I expect nothing less.”
Auburn’s ad shows Toomer’s Corner white with toilet paper the morning after AU’s historic 2013 Iron Bowl win. Interestingly, the video used in the ad was captured on an iPhone by an Iowa fan who by sheer coincidence found himself in Auburn on Iron Bowl weekend and ended up having an experience he’ll never forget.
To check out every SEC school’s commercial, head over the Mr. SEC.
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.