We've got a long way to go, but Super Bowl viewers are already saying they've seen the most bizarre commercial of the event.
The Super Bowl is an event that is becoming so much more about the football - as many viewers also eagerly anticipate the halftime show and the big-budget commercials.
Per CBS News, the lineup of Super Bowl ads this year promises to be star-studded and captivating, with a myriad of top brands vying for viewers' attention. From the Anheuser-Busch to Uber Eats' star-studded commercial featuring Jennifer Aniston alongside Victoria and David Beckham, the battle is on for who will win the title of the best commercial.
(Also, for those wondering about the price tag attached to these coveted advertising slots, the answer is a whopping $7 million for a 30-second spot.)
But one commercial has left three words trending on X (formerly Twitter), and those words are: "He washed feet".
"He Gets Us," the ad campaign aimed at reimagining Jesus for contemporary audiences, and it made a return to the Super Bowl this year.
It's hard to say whether or not the campaign can be deemed "successful", but it certainly had viewers glued to their screens and got them talking.
"They said Jesus ain’t spread hate he washed feet and I can’t stop crying," one person tweeted, with a second adding: "Really Jesus needs a commercial in the Super Bowl now? To tell us he washed feet?"
But while some called it "odd", others hailed it the "best commercial of the Super Bowl!"
Check out the commercial below:Many were also making the same joke about director Quentin Tarintino (who is known for his foot shots in his movies):
"Did Quentin Tarantino direct that 'Jesus didn’t teach hate. He washed feet.' commercial #SuperBowl," one joked.
A second quipped: "HE WASHED FEET: Directed by Quentin Tarantino".
The first, a poignant 60-second spot titled "Foot Washing," aired during the game's first quarter, while the second, a shorter 15-second ad titled "Who is My Neighbor?" is scheduled for the fourth quarter.
Departing from the monochromatic hues of last year's ads, these new commercials burst with vibrant colors and employ a still-life aesthetic reminiscent of timeless gallery portraits.
Crafted by the innovative minds at Dallas-based agency Lerma/, both ads aim to challenge perceptions and spark dialogue. "Foot Washing" draws inspiration from the biblical narrative of Jesus washing his disciples' feet during the Last Supper, marking the beginning of the Lenten season.
The ad showcases a series of powerful images depicting individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives engaging in the symbolic act of foot washing, set to a stirring cover of the INXS song "Never Tear Us Apart" by singer Jenn Mundia.
Each frame, captured by acclaimed photographer Julia Fullerton-Batten, evokes a sense of artistry and idealism, prompting viewers to reimagine a world where mutual understanding and compassion prevail. Jon Lee, Lerma/ Brand Leadership Principal, explains to Ad Age: "Her style elevates the subject matter to an idealistic kind of world. We wanted to use this new style to paint a picture of what could be."
The ad concludes with the poignant reminder that "Jesus didn't teach hate" and that "He washed feet," driving home the message of empathy and acceptance.
According to Lerma/ Brand Leadership Principal, David Morring, and Creative Director Ryan Beals, the masterminds behind the campaign, the goal is to challenge preconceived notions and invite people of all beliefs to explore the story of Jesus. "Our intent is to share the authentic love that Jesus showed to all people," Lee affirms. "We hope that [this campaign] is an invitation for all people, no matter what they believe, to see the story of Jesus as belonging to them, and invite them to explore it."
Whether you were a fan or not, it certainly got people talking. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
