The 42 billion corporation Adidas didn’t just respond to the buzz around Garrett Wilson‘s gravity-defying catch – they turned a potential brand crisis into marketing gold
“He can jump, man! Garrett’s not going anywhere, ” the sports giant said in an official statement. The sports giant even changed its Twitter bio to deliver this message: “Garrett’s not going anywhere.”
The playful exchange began when Jets receiver Davante Adams spotted something familiar in Wilson’s spectacular Thursday night grab against the Texans. “I told him he might get kicked from Adidas after that one,” Adams quipped post-game. “That one looked like he headed over to Jumpman with me. I’m gonna talk to some people.”
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Adidas wasted no time. Their Friday evening press release packed a punch, mimicking Michael Jordan’s famous NBA comeback announcement. The timing proved perfect – Wilson’s catch had already set social media ablaze, with fans creating side-by-side comparisons of his airborne silhouette against the iconic Jordan logo.
The catch itself? Pure magic. On third-and-19, Wilson snagged Aaron Rodgers‘ pass one-handed, somehow keeping his shin inbounds before his knee touched white. Prime Video rules analyst Terry McAulay broke down the technicality: “That shin clearly touches in bounds before the knee goes out of bounds. That puts him in bounds with control. Touchdown.”
Wilson’s partnership with Adidas dates back to 2022 before he even heard his name called in the NFL draft. The young star’s stock keeps rising after a performance that included nine catches, 90 yards, and two touchdowns in the Jets’ 21-13 victory over Houston. His “Jumpman moment” might just vault him into mainstream stardom – much like Odell Beckham Jr.‘s famous one-handed grab did years ago.
A star taking flight under prime-time lightsThe electricity of Thursday Night Football transformed Wilson into more than just a talented receiver. Rodgers’ trust in his young target paid off spectacularly: “I didn’t do a whole lot when it comes down to it. I just kind of lobbed one up there and he made an unbelievable catch… That was a game-changing play.”
This wasn’t just another highlight-reel moment. While Beckham’s legendary catch came in the second quarter of his game, Wilson’s acrobatics arrived with everything on the line. His touchdown pushed the Jets ahead 14-10, turning what could have been an interception into six crucial points.
DJ Reed captured the magnitude perfectly in his postgame chat with Jeane Coakley: “That’s a bad boy right there. That’s a bad man. That’s catch of the year.” The same stadium that witnessed Beckham’s brilliance now hosted its next chapter in catching artistry.
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For the Jets and Adidas alike, Wilson’s ascent represents something special. The 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year keeps adding signature moments to his highlight reel. As branding wars rage on, one thing remains clear – Wilson’s star power transcends any logo he might accidentally mirror.
Speaking of sports branding, want the inside scoop on how the NFL’s global playbook is changing? Head to our channel and dive into this can’t-miss conversation about football’s worldwide future. Catch our latest Think Tank exclusive where Trey Holder sits down with NFL marketing powerhouses Emily and Erin Griffin.
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Source : EssentiallySports