Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs endeared himself to the NFL’s younger fans during Sunday Night Football’s opening introductions with a sly prank on NBC.
Typically, the network overlays prerecorded footage of starters introducing themselves and identifying their alma maters as teams take the field for the first two possessions of a SNF game.
One would normally expect the All-Pro running back and former Crimson Tide star to say: ‘Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama.’
Only on Sunday, before the Lions’ 32-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, Gibbs dropped an entirely different educational institution altogether.
‘Jahmyr Gibbs,’ he deadpanned, ‘Hollywood Arts.’
For the uninitiated, Hollywood Arts is the title of an upcoming Netflix spinoff based on the high school at the center of Nickelodeon’s teen sitcom ‘Victorious.’
Gibbs greets his fellow Alabama alum Bryce Young following Sunday’s loss in Charlotte
‘Did Gibbs say “Hollywood Arts” during the starters rundown?’ one Lions fan asked on X. ‘Both my daughters perked up.’
Many others appreciated the reference, although it’s unclear if Gibbs was alluding to the original Nickelodeon series or the upcoming Netflix spinoff. In either case, the NFL did not seem to mind too much and the clip was quickly circulated by the league’s social media accounts.
Gibbs is hardly the first NFL player to stray from the typical name/alma mater format for prerecorded introductions. Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen would often mention he was ‘homeschooled’ before adding: ‘Thanks, mom!’
NFL safety Jamal Adams gave a nod to the Japanese anime cartoon, Naruto, by describing himself as the ‘Leader of the Hidden Village of the Den.’
Another former Seattle Seahawks star, Russell Okung, paid homage to the Marvel Cinematic Universe by giving his alma mater as ‘Wakanda Tech.’
On Sunday, Gibbs introduced identified his school as the fictitious Hollywood Arts
And then there was legendary New England Patriots cornerback Ty Law, who gave a shoutout to ‘Aliquippa High School’ rather than his former college, Michigan.
Unfortunately for Lions fans, Gibbs’ ‘Hollywood Arts’ gag was the high point of the SNF broadcast as Detroit’s defense surrendered 445 yards while allowing Carolina a seven-minute edge in time of possession.
And while Detroit quarterback Jared Goff still generated 412 yards through the air, Gibbs was uncharacteristically quiet, gaining just 46 yards on 15 carries. He did score his seventh touchdown of the young season to go with four catches for 31 yards.
The Lions are back in action on Sunday in Arizona against the Cardinals.
