What would make NFL wild-card weekend more fun? Slime and Spongebob Squarepants, of course.
Nickelodeon and CBS partnered to broadcast their own family-friendly version of Sunday’s matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Chicago Bears.
Noah Eagle, son of CBS broadcaster Ian Eagle, had the call for the game and was joined by Nate Burleson and Nickelodeon stars Gabrielle Nevaeh Green and Lex Lumpkin.
UNLEASH THE SLIME!
NFL on Nickelodeon is incredible. #SuperWildCard |: @NFL pic.twitter.com/Egv8qaCZ4g
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 10, 2021
“This is a perfect opportunity to captivate a new audience of sports fans and football fans, while being a family friendly broadcast, so that the family can watch it all as a single unit, and have fun,” Eagle said of the broadcast.
The broadcast focused less on stats and more on fun facts about the players — such as a player’s favourite flavour of ice cream. Throughout the game there was kid-friendly breakdowns of football rules, including explanations about flags given by CBS star Iain Armitage of Young Sheldon.
The graphics during the game also boasted some Nickelodeon flair, with player comparisons to cartoon characters, bright colours and fun animations.
How's he supposed to kick with that going on? pic.twitter.com/m72JecnDLv
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) January 10, 2021
The cartoon network’s signature slime was also present throughout the broadcast and could be seen on the first-down line and in the end zone after a touchdown.
Saints head coach Sean Payton even said Friday that he would be willing to be slimed if New Orleans wins, instead of a more traditional Gatorade bath. Payton kept his word and was showered in the classic green slime after the Saints won 21-9.
@SeanPayton keeps his promise: slimed! @nickelodeon #Saints pic.twitter.com/qKzo1za3qA
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 11, 2021
Ahead of the game, Nickelodeon had a special episode of Spongebob “Sportspants” that featured sports-themed moments from the popular cartoon show.
SPONGEBOB SPORTS PANTS. pic.twitter.com/GLArDc6yrQ
— Tony X (@soIoucity) January 10, 2021
Football fans on social media seemed to love the family-fun broadcast.
I’m actually surprised this Nickelodeon NFL broadcast took so long to happen. This is a great idea.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) January 10, 2021
ALVIN Kamara compared to ALVIN Seville Alvin, right into @Nickelodeon #Slime Cannons. This is amazing. #NickWildCard #SuperWildCard #CHIvsNO pic.twitter.com/b1MpO7HagX
— Dan Vollmayer (@VollmayerOnFire) January 10, 2021
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