The upcoming season starts on Thursday, Sept. 5 when the Kansas City Chiefs play the Baltimore Ravens
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From Left: Jason Kelce; Kylie Kelce; and DeMarcus Lawrence. Photo: Lisa Lake/Getty; STEFANO TROVATI/Shutterstock; Robin Marchant/Getty
As summer winds down, that means football is just around the corner. And to get fans excited for the new season, a few familiar faces are starring in a new NFL campaign.
Husband and wife duo Jason Kelce and Kylie Kelce along with Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs all star in “This Is Football Country,” which “documents the passion behind the sport and its power to unify and inspire,” according to a media release the NFL shared with PEOPLE.
“The 60-second video showcases a rallying anthem, bringing to life how the universal joy and love for the game of football continues to bring communities together from all over the world,” the NFL said.
“New job life,” Jason says about 20 seconds into the ad before Kylie is seen responding: “Damn.”
“I am mostly excited to see Jason excel in a new position. I jokingly say it’s a pain in the butt that he’s good at everything, and I know I’m biased in that, but I truly believe he’s good at everything because even if he’s not good at the start or the best at the start. He will work, endlessly and tirelessly until he can achieve that. So, I have full faith that he’s going to tackle his new position and excel,” the proud wife said
She added, “He’s such an analytical person and so I think that this will be the perfect role for him on Monday night with ESPN. I’m really excited to watch him work.”
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In addition to the Kelces, Lawrence and Diggs, “This Is Football Country” also features Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns as well as Los Angeles Rams girls flag team player Makena Cook, Shenandoah Hornets tackle Haley Van Voorhis, YouTuber Deestroying, members of the Lahainaluna high school football team and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ USA Wheelchair Football League team as the campaign aims to honor all those who are passionate about the sport.
When asked what football country means to him, Lawrence tells PEOPLE, “When I hear football country, it’s any race, any ethnicity, all joining together to play a sport that they love. It’s also getting together, partying amongst family and just having a good time enjoying football.”
He continues, sharing what he’s looking forward to in the upcoming season. “This year, I’m definitely excited about kicking off the season and getting back out there with my teammates, having a joyous time, dominating and making a lot of plays,” Lawrence says.
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Jason Kelce in NFL’s “This Is Football Country” campaign. Courtesy of NFL
Diggs also reveals to PEOPLE his interpretation of football country. “When I think of football country, I think of the people, the team, the family, the fans that come out of it. You go into a new team as partners with a common goal, but you come out as family because of that time, that effort, that sweat you put in. Then you have that connection with the fans who keep you going. The fact that it all comes together because of a little pigskin…It’s something special,” he says.
“For this season, I’m excited to get back out, play football again and be with my guys. They’re amazing guys – a lot of young talent. And I’m looking forward to chasing something this year,” Diggs says about his hopes for the 2024-2025 NFL season.
Speaking about the significance of the new campaign, NFL chief marketing officer Tim Ellis said, “We wanted to capture the universal joy of this game while conveying the palpable hype that comes with the return of football, and we’re opening the season with the biggest Kickoff weekend ever to match that excitement.”
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The upcoming NFL season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 5 with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
