ESPN gets a lot of well-deserved criticism for some of the ways it covers sports, but one area where it receives a lot of well-deserved praise is in the commercial department. ESPN's "This Is SportsCenter" commercials have always been hilarious, mainly because they work athletes into comical situations in the offices of ESPN.
I'm not quite sure what the premise of ESPN's newest "This Is SportsCenter" commercial is, but it's going to feature Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, as well as Hairy Dawg, the mascot for Stafford's alma mater, the University of Georgia.
Flight tonight to @espn headquarters in Bristol to shoot the "This is @SportsCenter" commercial with @Staff_9. #GoDawgs
— Hairy Dawg (@UGAHairyDawg) February 9, 2012
I don't think a Lions player has been in a "This Is SportsCenter" commercial before. Actually, upon taking a quick look at the list of commercials over the years, I don't think a single Detroit athlete has been in one before. I know Sparty, Michigan State's mascot, has made a few appearances, but as far as I can tell, a Detroit athlete has not until now.
UPDATE: As pointed out by BtotheLT, Gordie Howe was in a "This Is SportsCenter" commercial.
UPDATE II: Grant Hill was also in a "This Is SportsCenter" commercial. (Hat tip to a reader on Twitter.)