FanDuel pays touching tribute to late Carl Weathers in Super Bowl LVIII commercial

nypost.com:

died “peacefully in his sleep” on Feb. 1 at the age of 76, according to a statement his family released to Deadline.He died as a result of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to his death certificate.A previously released teaser for the FanDuel ad showed Weathers as an Apollo Creed-type coach helping NFL legend Gronkowski prepare for FanDuel’s “Kick of Destiny 2″ event.In another 30-second FanDuel tease, a distraught Gronk walks alone in the desert until Weathers pulls up on a motorcycle and urges him to continue practicing his kick.“And this time, you won’t miss,” Weathers tells him. “Get in.” It’s the second consecutive year that Gronkowski, who starred as a tight end for the New England Patriots and is a four-time Super Bowl winner, has attempted to kick a field goal on Super Bowl Sunday.

Fans who placed a bet on FanDuel’s Sportsbook had the chance to win $10 million collectively. Last year, he missed his “Kick of Destiny,” a 25-yard field goal aired live during the Super Bowl.

He also missed the kick on Sunday night.“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Carl Weathers,” a spokesperson for FanDuel told The Post in a statement on Feb.

2. “Throughout his life, Carl was an iconic talent who had a profound impact on the people he worked with on and off the screen.”“FanDuel was fortunate to have had an opportunity to work with him during our Super Bowl campaign,” the statement concluded. “We are adjusting our campaign accordingly out of respect for the family during their time of grief.”According to Variety, FanDuel said it would slightly alter the ad after Weathers’ untimely death and that Weathers would still appear.