Monday Night Football took a drastic turn yesterday when the NFL offered its support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In a publicity move, pink showed up everywhere in a "Crucial Catch" campaign run by the NFL.
Breast cancer pink showed up everywhere in NFL stadiums last night. Michael Irvin from the NFL Network showed up in a pink tie and ribbon, while coaches swapped their usual caps for pink ones. Fan jerseys were sold in pink hues. Even the regular goalpost pads were replaced with pink ones.
Perhaps the most surprising part of the display was that many of the players added a touch of rose to their uniforms. Despite the rough and tumble reputation of football players, these guys united for a common cause — one that has touched a great number of families worldwide. Pink cleats, armbands, and gloves were donned in a nationwide attempt to boost breast cancer awareness.
Even with most companies in the country looking to increase publicity by incorporating breast cancer awareness into their products or offering specialty items in pink, many were surprised to see the NFL take a stand. As a man's sport, it tends to be the last franchise expected to dress up in pink. That may be part of why they did it — for increased impact. When a company that has been promoting women's products for years offers a pink lipstick in honor of October, no one bats an eye. Get big, manly football players dressing in pink, however, and people stand up and take notice.
It's also good publicity for football. Those affected by breast cancer are far more likely to be interested in a game that actively acknowledges their problems and works to raise awareness.
This probably isn't the last surprise we've seen in the breast cancer awareness arena. Even if you are in the "pinklash" movement, you have to admit that this makes a far more powerful statement than the players wearing pins with "Cancer Sucks" on them. Pink may not be the first choice for many, but when it works, it works — and the NFL definitely made it work yesterday.
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The Everything-PR Editorial Team produces original reporting, research, and analysis on communications, reputation, AI visibility, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era — built to be cited by the AI engines that now answer the question. Publishing since 2009.
