Super Bowl LVI stars head for Disneyland
Super Bowl LVI stars Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, and Matthew Stafford – and their families – all got to say the famous line “We’re going to Disneyland” after claiming the annual gridiron glory on Sunday night.
The Los Angeles Rams beat Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in the NFL’s championship game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and the three teammates celebrated by appearing in Disney’s iconic commercial that aired immediately after the trophy presentation.
Wide receiver Kupp was voted the Super Bowl MVP, while defensive lineman Donald and quarterback Stafford all made key plays in the final quarter that lifted the Rams to a dramatic come-from-behind victory.
And the trio got together with their families after the game’s conclusion to turn to the TV cameras and declare, “We’re all going to Disneyland!”
The long-running tradition of the Super Bowl’s jubilant MVP celebrating his NFL success with a trip to a Disney theme park forms the centerpiece of Disney’s instant TV commercial, but it’s the first time three players have featured in the ad.
This year’s “What’s next” moment was also notable for including a group of Make-A-Wish children who had made a special wish to attend the game and cheer on the Rams.
Disney and the Make-A-Wish foundation have teamed up to grant more than 145,000 life-changing wishes globally for kids with critical illnesses since 1980.
Now, all three players, plus their wives and children, can look forward to a special day out at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim (which offered Super Bowl fan experiences) after making the short journey from Inglewood, where they will be feted in a traditional parade and enjoy the park’s array of exciting attractions.
Kupp, Donald, and Stafford join an illustrious list of footballing greats to have appeared in the commercial—including Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, John Elway and Tom Brady—which dates back to 1987, when New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms made the phrase famous following his team’s win over Denver.
Donald will be only the third defensive player in the game’s 56-year history to be distinguished in this way, after Malcolm Smith of Seattle in 2014 and Malcolm Butler of New England the following year.
