LaDainian Tomlinson and Troy Polamalu ‘Leave Nothing’ Nike Football Commercial
October 12, 2008 by David Kindervater
Filed under NFL - NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers
National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
A new Nike football campaign entitled “Fate” captures the true essence of the game by following the journeys of two top athletes from their first steps to playing in the NFL. The “Fate” commercial features San Diego Chargers All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu. The spots were directed by David Fincher, a renowned director whose films include Se7en, Fight Club, Panic Room and the soon to be released The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
The ad traces LT and Troy’s lives from young toddlers through middle and high school and college to their careers as NFL players. All of these scenes were researched and are authentic to the lives and milestones of LT and Troy. At the end of the ad, the two compete in an NFL game.
This is THE coolest commercial Ive ever seen.
did they know each other growing up like the commercial implies?
Nike doesn’t really say, Michelle. I did add some background information on the commercial to the post, however.
I love that commercial, especially with the (remixed) Morricone-soundtrack. Any chance of getting a high-res version (not the pixelated youtube-stuff) of the clip for download somewhere? Checked the nike-website, but no luck there.
thanks, that makes it even cooler!! Great commercial.
First time this came on, the Morricone theme made me look up. The commercial did not disappoint.
Nike always has the best commercials around. But, this is the best that I’ve ever seen. And it doesn’t hurt that I get to look a Troy (Polamalu). I’m a true die hard Steelers fan to the end. I wonder is that really Troy and L.T. when they were younger?? Does anyone know??
nike also just built this football tool around this campaign to compare football your stats to pro guys and other high school kids. its on nikefootball.com
JUST WANT TO SAY JOB WILL DONE ON THE NIKE COMMERCIAL!!!! THAT WAS MY NEPHEW SULTAN MOALA PLAYING TROY POLAMALU WENT HE WAS YOUNGER.HE’S ONE JUMPING ON THE TABLE & RUNNING OVER THE SPRINKLER!!! SOOO PROUD OF U!!!
WHO MADE THE BEAT???
One of the best commercials ever produced!!!! Simply put, a instant classic!!!! Taking two true gridiron greats, class acts and putting them together was simply awesome.
That’s the best sports advertisement ever!! Classy and tastefully done. Excellent protrayal of two energetic kids exploiting their athleticism and working hard to become elite adult athletes who find themselves competing against one another on the highest level. . . .and, still having fun the whole time!!
I am eager to know the song that underlies this beautifully “told” story. I am an avid female sports fan across the board, worked in film/tv in Atlanta, and love the true feel along with the Cirque de Soleil soloist-type singing. Then again it could be James (aka ‘Pretty’)!
The background music is in the Clint Eastwood movie The Good The Bad and The Ugly. I don’t know the name of it but it is played in the scene where Tuco is trying to find the grave in the cemetary.
that song is originally by Ennio Morricone, from the movie “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, called “The ecstasy of gold”. Go here:
Although this particular version is some kind of remix.
Sorry, the link seems to have been cut out from my last comment. You can listen to the original here: http://www.imeem.com/thebenke/music/o7LFMJ-2/ennio_morricone_the_ecstasy_of_gold/
Original title is L’Estasi Dell’oro, btw.
This is quite possibly the finest sports commercial ever made. The blend of music and action (love the remix of ecstasy of gold) is impeccable. it really sums up what a sports journey should be all about. kudos to whoever did this.
The beat is a remix of Ennio Morricone. It’s called L’ Estasi Dell’oro (The Ecstacy of Gold) and it’s remixed by Bandini. There’s been other remixers of the song, but this one is the freshest by a long shot.
I can’t say I know who originally has this beat, but I know that The Game’s 300 Bars and Running has this beat on it somewhere, so I’m pretty sure someone else raps over this beat, because all the other beats on that song were sampled from other rap albums. I hope this helps someone find it.
After some searching, It seems that the beat is from Jay-Z’s Blueprint 2.
Beat is off Blueprint 2 by Jay-Z… produced by Just Blaze.
What’s the name of that Jay-Z song?
As a high school teacher, I often use Nike commercials to teach non-print literacy, and this commercial is excellent for my instruction. The ending is so climatic, and the last shot of the two little boys laughing while falling into bed is so representative of what we all want: our dreams to come true.
Equally great scene as Tuco (Eli Wallach) outrunning (Blondie) Clint Eastwood to try and find one grave amoung thousands to get the gold.
I am very glad that this commercial lived up to one of the most memorable scenes in movie history.
The commercial music can be downloaded on Itunes it is the following remix:
L´Estasi Dell´Oro (From the Good, the Bad, the Ugly) Ennio Morricone Remixes, Vol. 2 $0.99 Dance
This is the best commercial that I think that I have ever seen.
LaDainian Tomlinson and Troy Polamalu are constantly running toward eachother over their lifetime. Tomlinson is running left to right while Polamalu is running right to left. Because of fate they are constantly running toward eachother and finally meet at the tackle. When they fall back as children, it is the first time that their direction has been changed. Amazing portrayal of the word “Fate”
You know this is not the first time this song was used in a football video. The high school Reapers have videos every week during football season. This is at least the 6th video idea take from their website http://www.reapernation.com. In 2007 the Reapers won their second championship, back to back, and their championship video movie used this song as their trailer. It is so amazing how the NFL, Nike, and the NBA has borrow ideas from this site. Remember the split face NBA ads. Reaper Nation did those over 2 years ago. Almost identical to what you see on tv. Again just funny.