Tampa Bay Buccaneers trolled by women’s deodorant company

As their kicking woes continue, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were trolled by Secret after their latest kicking mishaps on Sunday.

After rookie kicker Matt Gay missed two extra points and a game-winning field goal on Sunday in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the New York Giants, it feels like their kicking curse is more real than ever before. Their kicking woes have reached a whole new level today as Secret, the women’s deodorant company has now trolled the team with a full page ad in the Tampa Bay Times.

In the ad by Secret, featuring United States Women’s National Team soccer star Carli Lloyd, it is titled, “Hey Bucs fans, do you sweat 34 yarders?” This ad is directly referring to Gay’s 34 yard field goal that went wide right of the uprights on Sunday, and pictured is Lloyd kicking a field goal.

Earlier this Summer, Lloyd was videoed booting a 55 yard field goal, leading to the speculation that she may get an NFL offer. Reportedly Lloyd did receive, and even contemplate these offers before choosing to pass on the opportunity to play in the NFL; this is some clever target marketing done by Secret as the pewter and red continuously have scabs ripped off by kicker after kicker.

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After the title, the ad goes on:

"“Carli Lloyd doesn’t.Secret believes strength is more than overcoming what makes us sweat. It’s continuing to pursue progress and equality in all industries and sectors. Women may not play professional football (yet), but isn’t it time for a level playing field wherever she wants to play?” (via ESPN’s Jenna Laine)."

When head coach Bruce Arians was hired, he made it very well known that he has never been opposed to hiring women on his staff. In fact, Arians hired two women as assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust and strength and conditioning coach Maral Javadifar were added to the Buccaneers’ coaching staff.

Carli Lloyd should get her shot in the NFL, and if Gay does not pan out for the Buccaneers and the USWNT star can solve the kicking woes in Tampa, then why not here? In all honesty it is only a matter of time before we see a woman contributing to an NFL team on the field as Lloyd has re-ignited the talks.

An ad with a serious message and an all-in-good-fun poke at the Buccaneers’ kicking woes is a fantastic marketing strategy by Secret. While Arians is a pioneer for gender equality in the NFL, it is unlikely that the Buccaneers will scrap Matt Gay after a bad game, although his leash is short.