It seems like everything in sports is sponsored these days. The TV broadcasts, the segments within those broadcasts, the jerseys the stadiums, the players themselves, etc.
And now it seems the retirements are sponsored as well.
Longtime NFL defensive tackle Vince Wilfork announced Monday that he was hanging up his cleats, and he did it in a video that doubled as an ad for Kingsford Charcoal.
Well y’all – it’s been a great run, but the time has come. @Kingsford #Sponsored pic.twitter.com/DXfDzholBi
— Vince Wilfork (@wilfork75) August 7, 2017
We’ve got to give Wilfork props for making a little extra cash on his way out of the NFL. Most guys hold a press conference, post on their Facebook page, tell a reporter or—maybe if they’re feeling really ambitious—co-write an essay on The Players Tribune. Wilfork has invented a whole new approach that’s more lucrative than any of the others.
Plus, Wilfork’s charcoal ad/retirement announcement looks like it was fun to shoot. Wearing nothing but overalls and a “RIBS” hat while grilling and dancing? That could be a post-retirement fantasy for quite a few Americans.
Wilfork deserves all the grilled meats he can get. Over 13 seasons in the NFL, the 325-pound (yeah, right) nose tackle anchored some quality defensive lines for the Patriots and Texans, commanding constant double teams from opposing offenses. He reached five Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowls with New England.
Now it’s time for him to enjoy his retirement—and all the checks from Kingsford Charcoal that he can get.
goodnight sweet vince #airwilfork pic.twitter.com/p8lAlFisM7
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) August 7, 2017
