Browns teammates Joel Bitonio and Jack Conklin are two of the better offensive linemen in football, combining for 171 career starts and five Pro Bowl appearances. But when it comes to promoting businesses on local airwaves, neither should be in a rush to quit their day jobs.
The Browns, coming off an impressive win over Houston in Week 2, have to be feeling good about themselves, especially with star receiver Odell Beckham slated to return from ACL surgery Sunday against Minnesota. But all that’s been talked about in the Browns’ locker room of late is this hilariously low-fi car ad, with Bitonio and Conklin starring alongside chief operating officer Andrew Spitzer of Cleveland-based Spitzer Autoworld.
“Joel was definitely better at dancing, that’s for sure,” admitted Conklin, who said the shoot lasted roughly three hours. “I don’t have a whole lot of rhythm.”
You can say that again. Myles Garrett didn’t mince words when asked of Bitonio and Conklin’s cringeworthy performances, calling their commercial “terrible.”
Jedrick Wills was similarly dismissive, preferring his own cameo in this Progressive commercial starring Baker Mayfield.
Bitonio and Conklin may not be naturals in front of the camera, but the local spot still resonated with fans on social media, who appreciated its campy, aggressively low-budget aesthetic.
Mock the two all you want (Lord knows their teammates did), but Bitonio and Conklin are the real winners here. “Joel came in the meeting room today and he was like, ‘At least my kid’s tuition is paid for,’” Rashard Higgins relayed to Browns reporter Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan. “It’s just so hilarious.”
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