Image via Complex Original
For athletes today, making money off large contracts (whether deserved or not) is far from the only source of income. Since the '70s, athlete endorsements have been a way for ballers to capitalize on the fame their accomplishments on the field has brought them. But not everyone can be in a dope ad with Nike, and even top stars will take some of the most ill-conceived endorsements just for a little cake in the off-season. From Carson Palmer's love of big wieners (literally!) to Joe Namath rockin' pantyhose, ballers have co-signed some interesting products over the years. Yeah, they cash in and laugh all the way to bank, but at what cost? With that being said, peep the 10 Softest Athlete Endorsements in Sports History...
10. David Ortiz
Product: Pop Chips
Year: 2011
This has got to be one of the corniest ad songs we've ever seen ("On my David Ortiz"? FOH, Moufy!). But what makes this endorsement soft is the product itself. You know damn well a beast like David Ortiz doesn't eat Pop Chips and can't be comfortable with the slogans they use like "Love without the handles," or "Ask not what Papi can do for you, but what you will do with Big Papi." Pause.
9. Troy Polamalu
Product: Head & Shoulders
Year: 2010
Now we know Troy has his hair insured for one million dollars, but a shampoo ad for a dude known to deliver some of the most brutal hits in NFL history just seems a bit off. His little, sad puppy dog face is even more of a violation. And they still, 'til this very day, continue with this ad campaign. We're looking at you Joe Mauer.
8. Michael Strahan
Product: Vaseline Men's Lotion
Year: 2010
Giants fans cried themselves to sleep when they first saw this. After an intense workout, Strahan decides to he needs to soften up. First the Subway commercial, now this? C'mon, son!
7. Joe Montana
Product: Skechers Shape-Ups
Year: 2010
Wait, the GOAT quarterback rockin' those shoes that supposedly help females get a more shapely figure? On top of that, The Mailman and Kareem apparently rock them, too. SMH, times can't be this hard for Hall of Famers.
6. Tom Brady
Product: UGGS
Year: 2011
Yes, we get it. These aren't "women's shoes," but getting at Tom Brady is so easy. He probably wears Giselle's UGGS on his way to the store because "they're so comfy and easy to put on." Those are Tom's words, not ours. Pardon Mos on the track, some YouTube viewers have offered alternative versions of the soundtrack.
5. Larry Bird
Product: Chardon Jeans
Year: 1981
The bowels of the Internet have won again. Larry Legend doesn't seem so tough now, does he? Bird was definitely trying to get some chicks with this. Still seems like a sports x fashion fail, though. #justsayin'...
4. 1979 NY Rangers
Product: Sasson Jeans
Year: 1979
This commercial was part of the reason it took the Rangers 54 years to win a chip. Hockey players are some of the toughest athletes around and them trying to stunt in these jeans is tough to take. Plus, they seem way too into it in this commercial. Weren't Sasson Jeans for chicks? Well, if Weezy and The Biebs do it...
3. Joe Namath
Product: Beauty Mist Pantyhose
Year: 1974
The fact that Broadway Joe probably smashed a bevy of the hottest broads in the '70s and decades later tried to get at Suzy Kolber on live TV, are the only reasons why this doesn't rank higher on the list. Don't get any ideas Mark Sanchez.
2. Rafael Palmeiro
Product: Viagra
Year: 2002
Let us remind you that Rafael Palmeiro was, and still is, the only active athlete to endorse Viagra. The shit he got from opposing fans must've been brutal on the road. But considering the side effects of his steroid use can you really blame dude? The same can't be said for Warren G.
1. Carson Palmer
Product: John Morrell Sausages
Year: 2007
There's so much going on here. The little wiener, the spinning hubcaps, the not so subtle mentions of sausage size. Carson lost big time with this one, this may even be the real reason behind his retirement. "Don't come up short this grilling season, go long." Most definitely the softest athlete endorsement of all time.
