Image via Complex Original
Over the years, ESPN has transformed itself from a fringe-sports underdog to a nationwide powerhouse in charge of delivering the latest news and updates concerning all of our country's favorite pasttimes. At its heart, though, has always been its flagship program, SportsCenter. The preeminent source for all things sports, SportsCenter has helped changed the face of the media in the decades since its birth, feeding an emerging culture that devours the 24/7 newscycle, powers the hype machine, and constantly stays connected to the newswire.
As important as the show has been to sports reporting, though, it's equally important to take a step back for a minute and remember some of the moves that have helped SportsCenter connect with and open its doors to its audience in a way that no other sports program has been able to match. Yes, we're talking about the "This Is SportsCenter" commercials. Consistently hilarious, and always off-the-wall, these ads have helped give a personality to one of the biggest names in media, whether they had you following Charley Steiner to freedom or rocking out with John Clayton. On the air since 1994, and loaded with personalities and athlets alike, these are the 20 Best "This Is SportsCenter" Commercials. Which one is your favorite? Click through and let us know in the comments.
20. Arnold Palmer
Year: 2009
Athletes featured: Arnold Palmer
ESPN personalities featured: Scott Van Pelt, Stuart Scott
This isn't so much a commercial about Arnold Palmer making an Arnold Palmer as it is SportsCenter flexing their muscle and letting us all that they can get The King to do a commercial when they want.
19. End Zone Options
Year: 2009
Athletes featured: Chad Ochocinco
ESPN personalities featured: Stuart Scott, Steve Levy, John Anderson
What more does this ad need to say than "sizzling bacon action?"
18. Reading Lips
Year: 1998
Athletes featured: N/A
ESPN personalities featured: Keith Olbermann, Dan Patrick, Barry Sacks, Karl Ravech, Brett Haber
Wait, did Anchorman crib this straight from SportsCenter?
17. Dancing
Year: 1996
Athletes featured: Gheorghe Muresan
ESPN personalities featured: Kenny Mayne, Karl Ravech
Because awkward white guys trying to dance will never stop being funny.
16. Old NASCAR Legend
Year: 2011
Athletes featured: Kevin Harvick
ESPN personalities featured: Jay Harris, Robert Flores, Scott Van Pelt
Hey, when you have to go, you have to go, right? But the look on Harvick's face every time he's going is priceless. Best poker face of all time.
15. Color Blind
Year: 2013
Athletes featured: Rickie Fowler
ESPN personalities featured: John Anderson
As we've seen from the Golf Boys videos, Rickie Fowler isn't someone who is afraid to laugh at himself, even if it comes at his own expense. So this is why the dude looks like a Creamsicle every time we see him on TV!
14. The Closer
Year: 1996
Athletes featured: Trevor Hoffman
ESPN personalities featured: Kenny Mayne, Dan Patrick
We like to think that Kenny Mayne was going full-on Kevin Brown while he's off-camera in this ad.
13. Swimsuits
Year: 1996
Athletes featured: N/A
ESPN personalities featured: Stuart Scott, Charley Steiner, Linda Cohn, Rich Eisen, Bill Pidto
This is definitely more of Bill Pidto than we ever needed to see. Did anyone else think that Stuart Scott was kind of feeling himself on this one, though?? Easy there, Stu.
12. Warm Ups
Year: 2009
Athletes featured: N/A
ESPN personalities featured: Scott Van Pelt, Stuart Scott
Everyone wants some regular tearaways, just on the principle of them being absolutely awesome. But a tearaway suit? Where can we sign up?
11. Handshakes
Year: 2012
Athletes featured: Robinson Cano
ESPN personalities featured: Sage Steele, John Buccigross, Karl Ravech, Robert Flores, John Anderson, Linda Cohn
The best This Is SportsCenter ads are the ones where the athletes know how lucky they are to just be in the ad. Has anyone ever looked happier giving a handshake than Robinson Cano does in this commercial? The dude knows that he's made it now that he's gotten his ESPN commercial.
10. Betrayal
Year: 2008
Athletes featured: David Ortiz, Jorge Posada
ESPN personalities featured: Stan Verrett
Do you think that Big Papi finally made it up to Wally by hitting .688 in the World Series against the Cards this year? Yeah, they're probably good now.
9. Y2K
Year: 1999
Athletes featured: Mark McGwire
ESPN personalities featured: Charley Steiner, David Brofsky, Kenny Mayne, Dan Patrick
Apparently, Y2K fever got the best of even the ESPN team. To the death, everyone will remember Charley Steiner for the classic line, "Follow me. Follow me to freedom!"
8. The Kid
Year: 1994
Athletes featured: N/A
ESPN personalities featured: Bob Ley, Jack Edwards
The only thing that this ad was missing was the Seth Hayes kid going Ryan Leaf on another reporter.
7. Big Buddy
Year: 2006
Athletes featured: Kenny Smith, Jayson Williams
ESPN personalities featured: Dan Patrick, Kenny Mayne, Stuart Scott
Whoever thought up this one should be collecting royalties from the SNL writers who made that Peyton Manning "United Way" sketch.
6. Swearing
Year: 1996
Athletes featured: Kobe Bryant, Keyshawn Johnson
ESPN personalities featured: Karl Ravech, Kenny Mayne, Stuart Scott
We're pretty sure that Kobe and Keyshawn learned a thing or two from this ad.
5. Manny Being Manny
Year: 2009
Athletes featured: Manny Ramirez
ESPN personalities featured: Steve Levy, Jay Harris
Jay Harris' ability to sell the joke here cannot be understated. Do they make you take acting classes or something to work in Bristol? Get this man a Daytime Emmy, please.
4. Roger Clemens: Fastball
Year: 1995
Athletes featured: Roger Clemens
ESPN personalities featured: Keith Olbermann, Jack Edwards
Easy with the 'roid rage there, Rog. This is just one of those ads that did not age well, but in the most hilarious of ways.
3. The Manning Brothers
Year: 2011
Athletes featured: Archie Manning, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning
ESPN personalities featured: John Anderson
With Peyton and Eli, you kind of get the sense that this commercial could actually happen in real life. Especially after Eli picked up that second ring. Peyton still has to show him who's boss somehow, right?
2. Bed Wetter
Year: 2009
Athletes featured: Adrian Peterson
ESPN personalities featured: Scott Van Pelt, Jay Harris, John Buccigross
Out of all the great Scott Van Pelt ads, this one is the best. Adrian Peterson doesn't even have to be in this ad. It's all about the Bed Wetter here.
1. John Clayton: Rock God
Year: 2012
Athletes featured: N/A
ESPN personalities featured: Neil Everett, Stan Verrett, John Clayton
Be warned: John Clayton's hair in this ad is something that you cannot unsee.