We all know that some commercials stick with you, long after they’ve stopped airing on TV. We’re guessing that this Gatorade farewell video honoring Derek Jeter and the entire city of New York is one of those commercials.
Plenty of ads feature sports heroes, use Frank Sinatra’s rendition of “My Way,” and are shot in NYC in black and white. But this Gatorade spot is truly special, simply because it’s both beautifully shot, classy, and kind of tear jerking.
Gatorade told Ad Week the spot was a “true collaboration” between the company and one of its most-recognized athletes. All that Gatorade did was rope off blocks around Yankee Stadium to let Jeter mingle with fans. The reactions are genuine—both in the video and on Twitter.
What a way for Jeter to end his career by showing thanks to all of his fans in this #gatorade commercial. #bumkt3210 http://t.co/qRTqkUb5hW
— Caleb Chowbay (@CalebChowbay) September 19, 2014
The Gatorade commercial for Jeter is a real tear jerker. Even better than New Era’s — Matthew Marino (@MarinoMatt) September 19, 2014
Gatorade went CRAZY with jeters new commercial #RE2PECT
— PAPITO (@Monsterr_52) September 19, 2014
I think I’m gonna sit on my couch and watch the Nike and Gatorade Jeter ads on repeat for the rest of the day — Bryan Previte (@bPrevite) September 19, 2014
I’ve watched that Gatorade commercial of Jeter at least 100 times today
— Chaneng (@chaneng_MCQ) September 19, 2014
Even skeptics have been won over:
Not a baseball fan. Not a Yankee’s fan. Not a Jeter fan. That commercial is special. Great work by @Gatorade — Daniel Eliesen (@Eliesen_Cover32) September 19, 2014
I kind of rolled my eyes when I saw everyone gushing over the new Jeter Gatorade video. Then I watched it and boo-hoo-d for like 5 minutes.
— Alyson Footer (@alysonfooter) September 19, 2014
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