Houston, Scotland commercial

[Isaac]

Former American footballer and skittles enthusiast, Marshawn Lynch, goes to Scotland as a cultural ambassador, of sorts.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/...and/vi-AAmpLu4

A fun little commercial featuring the Houston kilt shop, a couple of pipers, and a few reenactors.

[ScottishStuart]

He was only in our shop for a short while, but made a big impression!

We tried to persuade him to try on a Kilt, but we couldn't manage it, he was friendly and engaged in a chat about Clans and Tartans - its a shame that most of the footage was cut out!

[neloon]

Despite the young lassie's enthusiasm, very few Scots have any knowledge of or interest in American football.
By the way, the Scottish Houston is pronounced hooston, not hyooston.
Alan

[slothead]

Despite the young lassie's enthusiasm, very few Scots have any knowledge of or interest in American football.
By the way, the Scottish Houston is pronounced hooston, not hyooston.
Alan

And most Americans don't speak like that either!

[WalesLax]

I found that very entertaining, and all in good fun. I do have family around the UK that stay up to "ridiculous o'clock" to watch the Super Bowl, thought generally don't care that much about the NFL on a week by week basis.

Rob

[Isaac]

And most Americans don't speak like that either!

Marshawn's accent (street drawl?) can be a bit difficult, even for other Americans. But all accounts suggest he's a sharp and savvy gentleman. He's well liked in Seattle and his native Oakland, but a bit infamous nationally due to his shy yet fractious attitude during interviews. His work ethic spoke for itself on the playing field.

I remember when Dhani Jones, a former NFL linebacker for the Eagles and Bengals, did a series for the Travel Channel called "Dhani Jones Tackles the World". He traveled to Scotland on one episode to compete in a Highland games event. He was much more engaging with the Highland culture: wore a kilt during competition, ate some haggis, and gave his best at playing the pipes. I couldn't find a link, but it's available on Amazon.

[Damion]

A pity it seemed to be more about promoting him and the superbowl than Houston or Scottish culture. Reenactment groups I've been with have taken part in segments like this but it seldom raises awareness of what we do, teaches nothing and generally just uses groups as comic relief. I'd rather not be involved in anything like that again unless it was specifically promoting us or the culture we're showing.
I'm glad people found it amusing but I think it just reinforces the idea amongst others that people who wear kilts are strange.

[Jock Scot]

I care little and know even less about this Super Bowl thingy, but Mr. Lynch seems to be a chap with a cheeky glint in his eye. Nice to see a bit of mild and harmless fun in these rather drab and serious times that we live in.

[Blupiper]

Mr. Lynch represented his team and, I feel, the game well, but was famed for not suffering interviewer's inane questions after games. The League contract required his presence and that he answer questions, but his response was best summed up by his response to all questions the week his team was in the Super Bowl: "I'm only here so I don't get fined." Considering the fine was $25,000, I'd say he was trying to be good-humored, but wanting to preserve his personal feeling on interviews. It always seemed he wished for his play to speak for him. Now that he is retired, he seems to have allowed a sense of humor to inform his former reticent image. The Skittles ad was brilliant, in my opinion. As an American footballer, he probably doesn't know much of Scotland (just as Scots probably know a similar amount about Oakland.) Having woken up at 'ridiculous o'clock' to catch the World Pipe Band championships live on the internet here on the West Coast of the US, I say that description is right on the money. The rest of the commercial was gently humorous and kind to many Scotland--USA interactions. I enjoyed the whole spot.

JMB

[ibrew4u]

Despite the young lassie's enthusiasm, very few Scots have any knowledge of or interest in American football.
By the way, the Scottish Houston is pronounced hooston, not hyooston.
Alan

In Georgia, there is Houston County, pronounced howston.