Leon Sandcastle
| Leon Sandcastle | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | February 3, 2013 |
| Created by | NFL Network |
| Portrayed by | Deion Sanders, Andre Dawson |
| Voiced by | Deion Sanders |
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | Primetime |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | Cornerback |
| Occupation | Professional football player |
| Nationality |  United States |
Leon Sandcastle is a fictional character, depicted as a disguise for Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. The Sandcastle character was created for an NFL Network commercial. Sandcastle first appeared in a Super Bowl commercial in 2013.[1] The commercial depicted Sanders suggesting he could still play at a level higher than the rookies in the 2013 NFL Draft and deciding to make a comeback. He dons an afro, assumes the impromptu alias "Leon Sandcastle" and enters the draft, going through the full NFL Scouting Combine. For action shots, Ball State cornerback Andre Dawson served as the stunt double.[2] The commercial features Sandcastle being drafted 1st overall in the draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. A voiceover then instructs viewers to watch NFL Network for offseason and draft coverage, noting in deadpan at the end that "the next rookie sensation probably won't be Leon Sandcastle."[3]
Despite not being an actual prospect for the 2013 NFL Draft, several combine videos have been created. The most prominent of these videos is Sandcastle's "4.2 40 yard dash."[4] The NFL also created a "Combine Profile" for Sandcastle, as they do with actual prospects.[5] In Rich Eisen's 2013 annual 'Run Rich Run' event, Sandcastle appeared giving tips to Eisen.[6] Sandcastle's combine profile reveals that Sandcastle attended Primetime University.[5][7] The commercial had a positive social media response as "Leon Sandcastle" was trending on Twitter worldwide, shortly after the commercial's airing.[8] Sandcastle was also put into Madden NFL 13 as a card in the 'Ultimate Team' game mode.[9] For April Fools' Day, 2013, NFL.com reported that Sandcastle would be the Chiefs' first overall selection.[10]
The character developed marketing value and continued to appear in headlines, such as a fake endorsement deal with Under Armour[11] and continued to make other appearance at NFL events.[12]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
195 lb (88 kg) |
36 in (0.91 m) |
9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) |
4.17 s | 1.59 s | 2.43 s | DNP s | 6.39 s | 47 in (1.19 m) |
11.6 ft 3⁄4 in (3.55 m) |
19 reps | |
| Splits from NFL Combine video, all other statistics provided by NFL.com[5] | ||||||||||||
External links
- Leon Sandcastle commercial playback on YouTube
References
- ^ Joel Thorman (February 3, 2013). "Super Bowl commercials 2013: Deion Sanders is Leon Sandcastle, the Chiefs No. 1 pick". Arrowhead Pride. SB Nation. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Mike Foss (February 7, 2013). "The true identity of Leon Sandcastle (NOT Deion Sanders)". USA Today. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Super Bowl ad touts the Chiefs' No. 1 pick, 'Leon Sandcastle'". Kansas City Star. February 3, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Leon Sandcastle runs the 40-yard dash". NFL.com. February 25, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c "CB21 Leon Sandcastle". NFL.com. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Tim Daniels (February 26, 2013). "NFL Combine 2013 Video: Watch Leon Sandcastle Race Rich Eisen in 40-Yard Dash". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Ernie Padaon (February 22, 2013). "Leon Sandcastle Profile On NFL.Com". Bolt Beat. SI.com. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Gina Antoniello (February 5, 2013). "Super Bowl Ads Featuring Professional Athletes: A Win-Win for Brands". International Business Times. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ David Light (February 24, 2013). "LEON SANDCASTLE SNEAKS HIS WAY INTO MADDEN 13". Go Madden. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Leon Sandcastle will be drafted No. 1 overall by Chiefs". National Football League. April 1, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
- ^ Nudd, Tim (April 11, 2013). "Leon Sandcastle Signs Fake but Funny Endorsement Deal With Under Armour". Ad Week. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ^ Tang, Dennis (April 26, 2013). "Style Report: The NFL Draft's Best Look...on a 300-Pound Lineman?". GQ. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
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