Detroit Lions Running Backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery Star in Hilarious, Nostalgic Faygo Commercial That’s Pure Motor City Magic
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Detroit Lions Running Backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery Star in Hilarious, Nostalgic Faygo Commercial That’s Pure Motor City Magic
Detroit is a city of icons—Motown, muscle cars, and Faygo. And now, thanks to a clever and culturally rich marketing collaboration, two of the city’s rising sports icons have become the latest faces of its most beloved beverage brand. Detroit Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery recently teamed up to star in a new Faygo commercial, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. The ad blends humor, heart, and Motor City pride, making it one of the most memorable regional campaigns in recent memory.
The commercial, which dropped online and on local TV stations earlier this week, opens with a nostalgic scene: a summer block party in a Detroit neighborhood, complete with backyard grills, old-school boom boxes, kids running through sprinklers, and a DJ spinning records. It’s a vivid, colorful tribute to the kind of summertime joy that only Detroit can serve up. Gibbs and Montgomery stroll onto the scene in Lions gear, sipping bottles of Faygo Redpop as heads turn and the party energy lifts to a whole new level.
There’s an almost magical realism to the moment—they’re not just football stars showing up at a cookout; they’re larger-than-life figures who embody the energy, toughness, and fun of the city they represent. As soon as they arrive, the music swells into a remix of “Rock and Rye Days,” a jingle remix nodding to Faygo’s most famous flavors. Montgomery tosses a football to a kid wearing a No. 5 jersey, Gibbs’ number, while a chorus of neighbors chant “Go Lions!” between sips of Faygo in every color of the rainbow.
What makes the commercial special isn’t just its eye-catching production value—it’s how authentically it captures the spirit of Detroit. The camera pans across street murals of Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Eminem, while Gibbs and Montgomery interact effortlessly with locals like they’re part of the fabric. The product placement never feels forced. It feels like a celebration.
And that was exactly the intention, according to Faygo’s head of marketing, Tia Williams. “We didn’t want a traditional celebrity endorsement,” Williams said. “We wanted to highlight the deep roots Faygo has in this city. When we thought about who really represents Detroit’s present and future, Jahmyr and David were at the top of our list. They’re tough, they’re humble, they’re fun, and they’re winning. That’s what Faygo is all about.”
The ad has quickly gone viral, especially among Lions fans and Detroiters who appreciate the fusion of old-school flavor and new-school swagger. On social media, fans have been raving about the duo’s chemistry in the commercial. “Gibbs and Montgomery got me wanting a Faygo and a playoff win,” one Twitter user posted, accompanied by a GIF of the players toasting with Grape and Orange Faygo bottles. “This is what community looks like,” wrote another.
For Jahmyr Gibbs, the commercial is a continuation of his meteoric rise in popularity. The second-year back exploded onto the scene as a rookie, dazzling with his speed, elusiveness, and versatility. He racked up highlight-reel plays and earned the respect of both teammates and fans with his relentless effort. Off the field, Gibbs is naturally shy, but his growing comfort in front of the camera is apparent. In the commercial, he cracks a rare smile and shows off surprisingly smooth comedic timing as he deadpans, “I only run fast when there’s a cold Faygo waiting at the finish line.”
David Montgomery, on the other hand, has always embraced being a people’s player. Since arriving in Detroit from Chicago, Montgomery has connected with fans through his gritty running style and down-to-earth demeanor. In the commercial, he plays the role of the neighborhood’s honorary uncle—dapping up old friends, play-wrestling with kids, and leading a Faygo-fueled line dance that brings the block party to life. “That was all him,” the commercial’s director, Malik Thompson, said. “David brought that energy naturally. We just let the camera roll.”
Perhaps the most powerful moment in the spot comes at the end, when Gibbs and Montgomery stand shoulder-to-shoulder under a glowing sunset, each holding a bottle of Faygo and staring at Ford Field in the distance. A voiceover says, “From the block to the big time, we run together. Detroit flavor. Detroit pride. Faygo.” It’s the kind of poetic, emotionally resonant ending that leaves you smiling—and maybe a little choked up if you’re a longtime Lions or Faygo fan.
While the commercial is a clear home run in terms of entertainment, it also signals something deeper. Detroit’s identity has long been tied to its underdog status—its ability to keep grinding, to keep believing, to find joy even in the toughest times. The Lions, after years of heartbreak, are finally contenders. Faygo, long considered a regional novelty, has grown into a badge of cultural authenticity and a source of hometown pride. This ad taps into both narratives, celebrating resilience and flavor with equal measure.
Marketing experts have praised the collaboration as a textbook example of effective regional branding. “You rarely see a brand so seamlessly tied to a city’s emotional core,” said Jordan Adams, a sports marketing analyst. “Faygo didn’t just hire athletes—they embraced cultural symbolism. Gibbs and Montgomery represent the present and future of Detroit football, and putting them in a block party setting with a locally cherished brand? That’s genius. It’s not just a commercial; it’s a love letter.”
It also doesn’t hurt that both players are coming off excellent seasons. Gibbs finished his rookie year with over 1,500 all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns, while Montgomery served as the thunder to Gibbs’ lightning, tallying over 1,000 rushing yards and emerging as one of the league’s best red-zone backs. Together, they form one of the NFL’s most dynamic backfield duos, and their off-field chemistry is proving just as potent.
The Faygo campaign also includes limited-edition bottles featuring Lions-themed labels and a QR code that takes fans to behind-the-scenes footage from the commercial shoot. In one clip, Gibbs accidentally sprays Montgomery with a Redpop bottle mid-take, prompting a round of laughter from the crew and an impromptu “Faygo shower” that mimics a Gatorade bath after a big win. “Guess we won the commercial, too,” Montgomery joked.
The Lions themselves have leaned into the campaign, sharing the video on the team’s official social media channels with captions like “This backfield runs on Faygo” and “Detroit pride, bottled up.” Players from across the roster have voiced support, with Amon-Ra St. Brown calling it “the dopest ad I’ve ever seen” and quarterback Jared Goff saying he wants in on the next one. Even head coach Dan Campbell reportedly gave it a thumbs-up, telling reporters he’s “more of a Rock and Rye guy, but I’ll never say no to Redpop if we’re winning.”
Faygo’s sales have reportedly surged in local markets since the ad’s release, with many Detroiters scrambling to grab the special-edition Lions bottles. Local grocers have had to restock multiple times, and some fans are even collecting and trading the different labels. “I got Gibbs in Orange and Montgomery in Moon Mist. Now I just need that Redpop two-pack,” said one customer at a Meijer in Livonia.
Ultimately, the magic of the commercial lies in its sincerity. It’s not trying to sell a fantasy or co-opt a culture—it’s embracing it. By putting two of the Lions’ most exciting players into a scene that could easily be a real Detroit summer day, it blurs the line between ad and art, nostalgia and now. It honors the city’s blue-collar backbone while showcasing the bright future that’s rapidly becoming a reality.
For Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the Faygo commercial is more than a fun off-field venture—it’s a reminder of their connection to a city that’s falling in love with football all over again. For Detroit, it’s a celebration of everything that makes the Motor City what it is: flavor, family, and the relentless belief that the best days are just ahead.
And maybe, just maybe, they’ll toast those future wins with an ice-cold bottle of Faygo
