Former Demon Marvin Byrdsong made 22 tackles in his last game for NSU in 2005.
But the hits keep on comin' for the Longview, Texas, native, and not just in his role as a linebacker for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings in af2 (arena) football.
A profile in Friday's Shreveport Times by sportswriter Jimmy Watson focused on another role of Byrdsong's: as the featured athletic figure in a Gatorade TV commercial along with former NFL coach Bill Parcells.
Byrdsong is portrayed delivering a fierce tackle, in weight training and his steely face is shown on a school bus in the closing scene of the commercial, as Parcells intones, "Do you have what it takes to pay the toll?"
The toll paid nicely for "Byrd." The acting fee: $30,000. He did have to wear a bushy wig.
I'd dress up like Bigfoot for $30k. But I don't think Gatorade is targeting middle aged folks riding exercise bikes.
Byrdsong transferred to NSU in 2005 after three years at Mississippi State following a prep All-America career at Longview HS. He's in his second season with the Battle Wings, who recently began their season.
Doug Ireland, SID
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