Micah Parsons spends his Sundays hunting down quarterbacks like C.J. Stroud. But when the cameras rolled for their latest project, the Dallas Cowboys linebacker and Houston Texans quarterback put aside their on-field rivalry to become astronauts.
The result is a commercial that turns a simple sandwich launch into a space mission, complete with mission control drama and countdown sequences.
What Makes This Micah Parsons and C.J. Stroud Commercial So Unique?
Parsons is known for terrorizing quarterbacks, but Stroud avoided that fear by teaming up with the Dallas Cowboys star linebacker for a promotional video for Jams.
The pair were dressed up in astronaut suits and appeared to be preparing for a space mission, with Parsons saying, “The pressure is different because the entire country is watching.”
The video mimics NASA space launches but promotes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as Jams launches itself nationwide. “We have liftoff. Jams is now available @walmart nationwide,” the caption reads.
Beyond their shared commercial success, Parsons and Stroud have been rivals since college.
How Did Parsons and Stroud Form Their Unlikely Friendship?
The former attended Penn State while the Texans quarterback suited up for their top rivals, the Ohio State Buckeyes. While the pair never met on the field in college, they have clashed numerous times in the NFL.
The duo has formed a brotherly bond despite their different roots and backgrounds. They have attended various events, including the NBA Celebrity All-Star game and football ambassador trips to Asia.
Addressing the unlikely friendship with Parsons during a press conference during the 2024 season, Stroud called the star linebacker his brother and stressed that their rivalry on the field was purely team-based.
“To me, he is definitely a brother of mine and it reminds me of my relationship with my brothers growing up,” Stroud said. “Always messing with each other, always trying to one-up one another. I have that relationship with my friends back home, too.
I had my buddy there. He had his friend who came from home. We all just had a brotherhood when we left. All that stuff is fun, but we will both be locked in and ready to win on Monday and ready to do our jobs to get a victory.
“It is about our team versus his team. We want to be the leaders of our teams that leads us to victory. That is what I plan to do. All that stuff is fun, but we will both be locked in and ready to win on Monday and ready to do our jobs to get a victory.”
Stroud, the 2023 Rookie of the Year, has performed well in his two seasons with the Texans, but is glad when he doesn’t have to face Parsons, whom he called a “relentless” defender.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys star has arguably been the best player at his position since getting drafted in 2021, and is in the middle of contract negotiations with Dallas that could see him become the highest-paid defender in the league.