Nike celebrates Yankee star Derek Jeter's final season through a commercial featuring some of the biggest stars in sports.
As Jeter moves through his last season in the only team he has ever known in professional baseball, the New York Yankees, Jordan Brand, his official sponsor and a Nike subsidiary, came up with a farewell commercial called "RE2PECT". Baseball fans from various walks of life as well as some of the biggest stars in sports tipped their hat to Jeter, in a report by Business Insider.
The video begins with the captain of the Yankees walking up towards the plate to the deafening cheer of the crowd at their New York stadium. He was wearing his white jersey and was carrying a black bat with the camera was behind him showing the large No. 2 on his back. The game announcer introduces him to the crowd then he proceeds to step on the plate to bat, showing the official Jumpman logo on his black and white cleats. Jeter tipped his hat before facing Lester, the pitcher. Lester of the Boston Red Sox had most of his face covered by his glove as he prepares to pitch the baseball, but tips his hat with his free hand towards the five-time World Series champion.
The advertisement, which lasts one minute and 40 seconds, continues with Jeter lifting the bat over his shoulder and looking to the left of the field. Another player tips his hat off to him then the camera focuses on a peanut vendor at the bleachers, who also does the same with his hat. Most of the people in the crowd wore dark blue caps with the bold white "NY" in front and began tipping their hats to Jeter as the camera continued to roll. Spike Lee was also among the fans, with his face solemn, as he tipped his cap off to the baseball star. The dramatic piano background music played as fans do the routine. At one point, all the fans tipped their hat at the same time. Several other average individuals did the same gesture of respect, from families to firefighters police officers to commuters.
Other stars were also featured in the clip, such as NBA star Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, who is also sponsored by Jordan Brand, golf great Tiger Woods, Knicks President Phil Jackson and girlfriend Jeanie Buss and rapper Jay Z, among others. Boston Sox Fans, New York Mets players, kids and people on the street were also shown as the music intensify then transition to the booming voice of the crowd cheering "Derek Jeter! Derek Jeter!" Finally, Michael Jordan himself tipped his hat.
The final seconds of the clip showed Jeter putting on his game face then rolling the bat behind him as he prepares to crack it one more time. The word "RE2PECT" was shown in the last part followed by the Jordan logo with Central Park in the background.
According to Lohud, more commercials featuring the baseball star are expected for the remainder of 2014.
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