Though one of the most consistently hilarious campaigns in the history of television advertising, it’s been a while since we’ve seen a “This is SportsCenter” spot really knock it out of the park. That is, until today.

ESPN and W+K NY fulfill the fantasies and daydreams of fans nationwide with this spot, in which mild-mannered, buttoned-up NFL analyst John Clayton finally shows his true colors, or at least the colors that we’ve all been hoping he’s been secretly hiding. Yes, Clayton’s mythical ponytail makes an appearance. Yes, Clayton is secretly the world’s biggest Slayer fan. And yes, he still lives with his mom.

I don’t know what else to say about this, other than bravo ESPN, bravo W+K, and take a bow, John Clayton. Not that we needed any help getting revved up for the NFL season, but damn, who’s ready for some football? 

(h/t Deadspin)

Update: The spot will make its TV debut, aptly enough, on Sept. 10 during ESPN’s Monday Night Football double-header.  Credits after the jump.

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In just 13 days, Major League Baseball and the boys of summer will kick off their 2011 season. With the NFL heading for a lockout, it just might be baseball’s big year to reclaim the title as “America’s Game,” and really, when was the last time you saw this much patriotism crammed into a 30-second television spot? What about Obama and Bush throwing out pitches back-to-back? Everyone’s happy.

The guys at W+K got Mr. Field of Dreams himself, actor Kevin Costner, to give the ad a little celebrity push. Aside from making a movie about the sport every two years, Costner co-owns a northern Illinois independent league team and regularly visits University of Texas games and practices. Generic-sounding voice notwithstanding, he is the Hollywood personification of baseball, and the right man to give the league his endorsement.

Not into the MLB? Look at it this way: once March Madness subsides, the Bulls win the NBA championship and the NFL lockout is official, baseball is all we have. And, until we fix the BCS and take away Cam Newton‘s Heisman Trophy, NCAA football will always disappoint. If you’re looking for a bandwagon to jump on this year, word has it that the Milwaukee Brewers finally got themselves some pitching. Credits after the jump.

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