Lombardi inspires

Fort Atkinson was in the spotlight during Sunday evening’s Super Bowl LV.  

The community was featured in several scenes during a 1-minute, 45-second commercial sponsored by the National Football League.

The commercial shared an inspirational speech by the late legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi as a backdrop to the ad, which included several scenes shot in Fort Atkinson in late December.

Cold Spring Design, Powers Tire and Auto Service, and Fort HealthCare reportedly were among the venues.

NFL Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Tim Ellis said in a story by USA TODAY Sports, “If Vince Lombardi were to come back, what would he have to say to us?”

Actor Russ Hutchison portrayed Lombardi, who died in 1970 of colon cancer,” “walking through everyday America” in the commercial spot that aired ahead of the coin toss.

“This speech is an amalgamation of his speeches that are essentially re-articulated for today,” Ellis was quoted as saying. “And I think what comes through is a very strong, positive, human, compassionate, inspiring message for all of us.”

Producers reportedly received help from a visual effects studio, as well as used past footage of Lombardi and “proprietary face-swapping technology.” The Lombardi family collaborated with the NFL and approved the commercial.

“This year, there’s never been a moment in history where I think the country really needed the NFL to be that cultural guiding light and kind of show a level of strength and resilience and compassion,” Ellis told USA Today Sports.

The commercial can be viewed here.