Video: Throwback Thursday - When Frank Costanza Coached Barry Sanders for a Nike Ad

Jerry Stiller -- aka George Costanza's father -- aka Vince Lombardi

In the year 1996, you’d have had a hard time finding two hotter names in America than Barry Sanders and Jerry Stiller.  Barry was running wild on NFL defenses and Jerry was throwing out classic one-liners as George’s dad on Seinfeld. 

Naturally, the marketing wizards at Nike decided to put the dynamic pair together.  Only, Stiller would be dressed like Vince Lombardi while providing commentary from the sidelines. 

The ad is not filled with a bunch of silly gags or some crazy ending with Barry plowing into Fake Lombardi near the benches.  It’s simple, but perfect; just a whole lot of vintage Barry forays into the secondary and the signature Jerry Stiller delivery doing the rest.

The opening line might be the best of all; Stiller, as Lombardi, playing the part of a genius coach with this novel idea -- “Take my advice.  Give the ball to Sanders.” 

For the too-short but ever-dominant run that was Barry’s 10-year Lions career, such play calling generally produced magical results.

Enjoy this trip down memory lane -- back when Seinfeld ruled the airwaves and the best running back in football history resided in Detroit...errr...Pontiac.