Two Iowa State football players have thrown their helmets in the ring to try out for the viral "Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon" promotion campaign from the Iowa Pork Producer's Association.
In hopes of encouraging people to buy more ham and bacon, the Iowa Pork Producers Association first used a name, image and likeness deal with the last names of four Iowa State football players.
Conveniently enough, the last names of Cyclone football players Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, Tommy Hamann and Caleb Bacon make for a convincing ad campaign: "Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon." Since the first promotion, Cyclones Alec Cook and Zach Lovett joined the team.
When the promotion first dropped, it went viral with millions of views and a feature on the social media account for ESPN's "SportsCenter," according to the Iowa Pork Producers Association. The Sports Business Journal also named the partnership the Best NIL Deal of 2023.
Who are the new contenders for the 'Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon' promotion?
The Iowa Pork Producer's Association announced that running back Abu Sama III and offensive lineman Isaiah Seymour are the first student-athletes to try out for the promotional campaign. The Iowa Pork Producer's Association is searching for student-athletes to continue the campaign.
Sama and Seymour's audition video debuted Monday. Sama, who was also a star player at Southeast Polk, was first to try out in front of the three other players and a cardboard cutout of Hamann. Sama suggested the new catchphrase could be "Purchase Sama Moore Hamann Bacon." The pitch provoked little excitement from the veterans.
“The tryout got me out of my comfort zone a little, doing something a little different,” Sama said in a news release. “I think the videos are funny and hope they will bring a smile to others when they see this. They’ll hopefully want to purchase some ham and bacon.”
Seymour, a freshman who played at Dowling Catholic in West Des Moines, went next. He suggested the new slogan be "Seymour Hamann Bacon," to which Purchase responded "Next" while shaking his head. The video concluded with no answer on who would join the promotion, but the selection process and videos will continue.
'Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon' campaign says goodbye to Hamann
Hamann will no longer take part in the promotion. He recently decided to leave Iowa State's football program to focus on his engineering degree, according to the IPPA. A video came out of Hamann saying goodbye to his fellow teammates.
But this isn't the end of the campaign. The IPPA is looking for more students to join the promotional cast.
Where can I watch the 2024 'Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon' promotional videos?
Videos can be found on the Iowa Pork Producers Association's YouTube or social media. Every Monday at 10 a.m. for the next seven weeks, new tryout videos of Cyclone students will air to see if they fit into the "Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon" campaign. The series will end on Oct. 7, just in time for National Pork Month, known as Porktober.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.