Detroit Lions: 7 Best Commercials Featuring Current Lions

How do we know the Detroit Lions are a relevant NFL franchise again?

Because they are being featured in commercials of course!

Several Lions have been featured in commercials lately so I thought it would be fun to count down the best of them.

I made some notable exclusions, including Ndamukong Suh's Subway commercials and Matthew Stafford's ads for Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

But other than those I included every commercial I could find with current players.

Ndamukong Suh makes up a majority of the list but not always for the right reasons.

Some of these commercials are great purely for their unintentional comedic value.

Now without further ado, let's get to the countdown.

7. Ndamukong Suh: Omaha Steaks

Ndamukong Suh and Omaha Steaks make their first of two appearances on the list with "The Five Rules of Tailgating."

This commercial is particularly corny and makes up rules for the proper tailgate, which of course means tons of Omaha Steaks.

Suh tells us to make sure we have "liquid refreshments."

Apparently just saying to have beer on hand is unacceptable?

At the end Suh tells us to make sure we clean up our mess and then proceeds to throw his grill into the garbage.

Comedy gold.

6. Calvin Johnson: 2012 Acura Commercial

This Acura car commercial is notable because it shows just how imposing a physical presence Calvin Johnson is.

The 31-second spot undresses Johnson from his native pads and helmet and proceeds to clothe him in a shirt and tie.

The point of the commercial is that if a person can be refined so can a car.

After watching all I can think is that Johnson may actually be "Megatron" after all. 

5. Ndamukong Suh: Omaha Steaks

In this commercial Ndamukong Suh informs us that Omaha Steaks is the "official sponsor of tailgating."

What makes this commercial work is the bevy of costume changes Suh makes.

He goes from a defensive lineman for the Omaha Steaks team, to a baseball game, a racetrack, a dance recital, a dog show, and finally a traditional backyard barbecue.

He makes some lame attempts at humor, but hey, these are athletes not actors.

The highlight is when a little girl at the dance recital tells Suh to hurry up because she is hungry.

4. Calvin Johnson: Brann's Sports Grille

Calvin Johnson is a tremendous football player, but he is a terrible actor.

Which is perhaps why this commercial for Brann's Sports Grille is so funny.

The commercial is a fairly standard thirty second spot highlighting the restaurant's deals and menu, but Johnson's commentary is an unintentional riot.

His line near the end proclaiming "Brann's has so many weapons, what do they need me for?" is funny for all the wrong reasons.

But you still have to love Megatron and his attempt here.

3. Ndamukong Suh: Imported from Detroit

Ndamukong Suh earns another spot on the list with this Chrysler spot.

The commercial tells a great story about the hard-working nature of Detroit and intertwines that story with the humble beginnings of Ndamukong Suh.

Suh does not have all that much do in the minute long commercial but the message it sends is one that really hits you as a viewer.

Showcasing gritty images of the city and the people within it worked great.

The closing remarks with the narrator saying "show where you're going without forgetting where you're from" was pure brilliance.

2. Ndamukong Suh: Dick's Sporting Goods

This Dick's Sporting Goods commercial depicts the store as a sort of African prairie, where Ndamukong Suh hunts and stalks his prey, quarterbacks.

This was one of the first spots Suh did after joining the NFL and remains entertaining.

Suh sells the bit perfectly, complete with menacing cowl, quotable phrases, and a decent acting job.

1. Detroit Lions: NFL Play 60

This commercial came out during the Lions Thanksgiving Day game against the Green Bay Packers.

It proved to be a welcome oasis amidst the beat-down Green Bay gave Detroit. 

The bit followed the routine of most other Play 60 commercials. The Lions players gathered on a school bus and traveled to a park with awaiting schoolchildren.

Having Barry Sanders driving the bus and seeing all the stars of the team having a good time worked really well and made for an enjoyable minute and a half.

The touchdown dance from Louis Delmas was a particularly fun bit.

Here is the link to the Play 60 commercial.

Any commercials I missed? Let me know in the comments section.