Back in 2014, the Seattle Seahawks honored Scotty Smiley as the first blind active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army. Now, they’re involved in a legal battle with the and his wife, Republican U.S. Senate Tiffany Smiley stemming from a political commercial.
According to Fox News, Tiffany Smiley ran a campaign earlier this month highlighting how rising grocery costs have hurt consumers, placing blame on President Biden and her opponent Democrat Sen. Patty Murray. As part of the ad, Tiffany Mentions the rising cost of beer to which Scotty Smiley says “are you kidding me?” The only problem is, Scotty Smiley is wearing a Seahawks jersey in the ad.
After the commercial aired, the Seahawks sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Smiley campaign asking her to stop using the trademark.
While the Seahawks are technically within their rights to protect their trademark, political commentator Brandi Kruse pointed out multiple other instances where political candidates have worn Seattle Seahawks clothing advertisements or campaigns, including Democrat Vicky Cayetano back in August.
So how do you explain this from a Democratic candidate’s campaign page? @TarraSimmons5 has done AWESOME things with her life — but so has the Smiley family.
Are you a football team or a political organization? pic.twitter.com/ChJdd7RegA
— Brandi Kruse (@BrandiKruse) October 1, 2022
Vicky Cayetano lost the Democratic primary for governor of Hawaii back in August. Maybe it’s because she wore a @Seahawks jersey in her ads? #3 no less. Cease and desist Vicky! pic.twitter.com/FxlVO56hNi
— Brandi Kruse (@BrandiKruse) October 3, 2022
“Vicky Cayetano lost the Democratic primary for governor of Hawaii back in August. Maybe it’s because she wore a @Seahawks jersey in her ads? #3 no less. Cease and desist Vicky!” Kruse said in a Tweet.
According to Fox News, the Smiley campaign had similar legal issues with The Seattle Times and Starbucks over their use of corporate logos. Campagin manager Kristian Hemphill spoke out against the corporations.
“Tiffany Smiley didn’t back down when she was bullied by federal bureaucrats working against her fight to help her husband Scotty become the first blind active-duty Army officer,” Hemphill said in a statement. “Woke corporations thought they could help Patty Murray by bullying Tiffany with senseless legal threats. Their efforts have both failed and backfired. This campaign will continue to hold to account the failures of a three-decade incumbent and offer Washingtonians a path from crisis to hope, just as Tiffany did for Scotty and countless other injured veterans.”
The campaign has since altered the ad to remove the Seahawks trademarks.
