But this weekend, NFL fans witnessed the Vikings receiver make a diving grab in Ghana, Africa, during a Super Bowl LVIII ad.
The “Born to Play” commercial opened with Kwesi, a young Ghanaian youngster wearing a Lamar Jackson jersey and watching NFL highlights on a tablet. Then his father told him to get in bed. Kwesi said goodbye to Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who was featured on one of the numerous NFL posters on the wall, as he laid his head on the pillow.
The next morning, viewers of the commercial get a peek into Kwesi’s dreams.
Kwesi sprints through his house with a football in his hands, dodging around the breakfast table and family members like they’re defenders on the pitch. Running through a market in Accra, Ghana, he runs upon NFL players decked out in their game-day attire.
Kwesi ducks under 49ers defender Fred Warner and throws to Jefferson, who jumps to make the grab and lands on a vegetable cart.
Strike the Griddy?” Kwesi answers Jefferson as they are both having a celebration.
After avoiding Saints edge rusher Cam Jordan and making his way through the market, Kwesi pitches the ball to Barkley, only to have it “intercepted” by a dog.
You have to take responsibility for it, friend. Barkley adds, “Besides, I’m not even real,” before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
After chasing the dog out of the market, Kwesi notices an American football camp behind a fence. There, he meets Nigerian-born NFL legend and two-time Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora.
“I recognize that expression. Umenyiora informs Kwesi, “I am aware of that dream. “That’s the one I had. You see, Kwesi, it doesn’t have to remain a fantasy. Where you were born is irrelevant. so long as playing is in your nature.
Although the plot of the advertisement may have been “imaginary” for the sportsmen, Jefferson and his NFL colleagues really went to Ghana to film the commercial in the local marketplace.
