The great thing about the digital world we live in today is the immediacy we can share unfiltered information. The downside of course is the amount of useless crap that gets thrown against a wall hoping that useless facts or ideas can be shared and internet sensations started.
Still, through all that sharing, there are always ideas, groundswell movements, and fun campaigns that arise. Sports are not different from any other area, and here are a few of those that have risen, better or worse, through the viral world in the past week.
Move Like Jagr. Maroon Five’s homage to The Rolling Stone’s lead singer’s moves has already reached an overplay level, but not far behind are the viral videos, in-arena tributes and tee-shirts from the Philadelphia Flyers Faithful touting their own NHL vet, Jaromir Jagr, and his on-ice moves throughout a storied career around the NHL and Russia. Fun play on a popular song, spread by some of the most digital savvy fans in sports, those in the NHL.
Rapping at Bowling Green. The Falcons are opening a new hoops arena, and took a viral route to showcase the building, the team and its fans…with a rap video. Lending his voice to the video is Mikey “Rosco” Blair, accompanied by senior gospel singer Rachel Willingham, with BG donors Kermit Stroh, Larry Miles, Bill Frack and Allen Schmidthorst, providing some background moves (nice way to boost the boosters). A smart, lighthearted way to generate some viral buzz for an arena launch that didn’t really have any pizzazz or reach outside of Ohio before.
Tebowing: It was a long time in coming for the Broncos QB to grab the limelight, but the craze it has touched off has been impressive, at least for the week. The biggest internet sensation is “Tebowing,” which has been described as to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different. It has its own YouTube channel, website, and grassroots following. Hopefully he will have a career worthy of such praise, especially if you are a Broncos fan.
The Big Gumbo: No it’s not Shaq’s latest nickname, it is a charity promotion being staged on November 5 when LSU meets Alabama, the first time number one and number two will meet in a regular season game since 1971, when No. 1 Nebraska beat No. 2 Oklahoma, 35-31.
The “LouisiBama Gumbo Bowl” will use a 300 year old cast iron pit to make the world’s largest Gumbo recipe, which will include 750 pounds shrimp, 450 pounds catfish fillets, 100 pounds claw crabmeat, 50 pounds white crabmeat, 200 pounds alligator meat and 25 pounds Louisiana crawfish tail meat, 200 pounds of diced onions, 75 pounds of diced celery, 100 pounds of diced green bell pepper, 150 pounds of sliced okra, 50 pounds of dehydrated garlic and 20 pounds of butter. The proceeds and other donations will be used to assist Tornado victims, and use the national TV platform to boost awareness for those who are still suffering from the effects of some of the biggest natural disasters the U.S. has ever seen. Great platform usage with a great spin.
Like em, hate em, all have made their way around the digital space, boosting awareness for casual fans, bloggers and the never-ending business of sport.
