The Kansas City Chiefs tight end couldn’t contain his excitement as he discussed his role in the beverage giant’s new NFL-themed campaign, “Make Your Gameday Epic.” Kelce teams up with rapper Megan Thee Stallion and fellow NFL stars Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, and Justin Jefferson for the adrenaline-pumping promotion celebrating the 2024-2025 NFL season.
“It’s such an honor to be a part of something like this,” Kelce said with a grin in a behind-the-scenes video shared on Pepsi’s TikTok account on Friday, September 20. “I’m so grateful Pepsi gave me the opportunity to be involved. When they told me I’d be playing a gladiator, I was all in.” He added with a laugh, “I got the thumbs-up that I could handle the load of being a gladiator, so I’m pumped!”
The commercial, inspired by the highly anticipated film Gladiator II directed by Ridley Scott’s son, Jake Scott, showcases Kelce and his co-stars as modern-day gladiators. In the clip, Kelce suits up in an elaborate gladiator costume before stepping out onto the set, armed with a prop shield and exuding confidence.
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From action-packed scenes of him rolling on the floor to dramatically throwing his shield in the air while shouting, “Are you ready?”, Kelce embraced the role with enthusiasm. As the cameras captured his every move, the crew’s cheers at the end of the day’s shoot reflected the energy and excitement on set. “It’s so cool, man,” Kelce exclaimed, laughing and wiping his brow. “Woo!”
The campaign is set against the backdrop of an epic Roman coliseum, where Kelce and his fellow NFL stars battle it out on the field as Megan Thee Stallion, 29, reigns over the action as a powerful empress. The intense three-minute commercial is set to a remixed version of Queen’s iconic anthem “We Will Rock You,” performed by Megan herself. As the gladiators clash in a show of athletic prowess, Megan watches from the crowd before stepping down to join them on the field. Grabbing a Pepsi, she declares, “Let game day begin!”
In a nod to the original Gladiator film, Kelce closes the commercial with a memorable line, confidently asking, “What? Are you not entertained?” His charismatic performance, paired with the thrilling visuals and soundtrack, makes the commercial a standout in Pepsi’s NFL campaign.
For Kelce, who is no stranger to the spotlight both on and off the football field, the opportunity to channel his inner gladiator was one he embraced wholeheartedly.
