As you likely know by now, Florida State almost lost the BCS National Title to Auburn in part because it failed to realize that Auburn was likely stealing its play signals until receiver Kelvin Benjamin yelled over sideline discussion between Jimbo Fisher and Jameis Winston that "Dameyune [Craig] calling [out] all the plays." Craig, of course, coached for Fisher from 2010 to 2012 before leaving for Auburn.
After the point at which ESPN's camera's caught that audio, Florida State went back to the old Jimbo Fisher staple of using towels to shield the play call from the opposing team. Without knowing FSU's routes, Auburn's secondary, a rather pedestrian unit all season, stopped playing like it had been secretly replaced by the All-America team, and Jameis Winston's yards-per-attempt nearlytripled.
But if you looked at the towels, you saw something rather disturbing: Gatorade. Florida State is sponsored by Powerade, since Florida uses Gatorade. I'm guessing that is what was available, and Gatorade was a game sponsor. The towels Florida State usually uses in home games are sponsored by Muscle Milk.
The use of towels used to be maligned by fans, but this is going to become a thing they embrace, a unique aspect of what Florida State does. It needs better sponsors. FSU can do better than Muscle Milk.
At the very least, FSU could put the Seminole logo on there, or perhaps Jimbo's face. I suggested as much, and our twitter followers responded with some great ideas.
If only FSU was sponsored by some company like Nike. RT @chief_salvaggio@TomahawkNation gotta find a better sponsor than muscle milk
— TomahawkNation.com (@TomahawkNation) January 10, 2014Freaky fast?
@TomahawkNation "Florida State's offense, brought to you by Jimmy John's!"
— Jack Jorgensen (@JackJ14CFB) January 10, 2014Security?
@TomahawkNation maybe some security companies like ADT, or that ID theft prevention company LifeLock
— Conor Malloy (@CawnCawn) January 10, 2014@TomahawkNation Anti-Spyware software company seems like a good fit. Jimbo Towels, brought to you by McAfee.
— Moojenowski (@MajewskiTony) January 10, 2014Y'all are getting it. "Protect your identify like Jimbo protects his play calls (cut to shot of LIFE LOCK towels shielding play cal)."
— TomahawkNation.com (@TomahawkNation) January 10, 2014"Not using these LIFE LOCK towels almost cost me a national title. Not having LIFE LOCK could cost you a lot more," Jimbo Fisher commercial?
— TomahawkNation.com (@TomahawkNation) January 10, 2014Using Jameis Winston's attorney?
@TomahawkNation Or how about "Keep your name as good as Jimbo’s plays" cuts to Law Office of Tim Jansen on towel.
— Ryan Kelly (@RyanLKel) January 10, 2014Plays? This markets to the college crowd...
@TomahawkNation "Protect your P_ _ _ s, like Jimbo" Brought to you by Trojan Condoms. (Plays)
— Poly_Brown (@Poly_Brown) January 10, 2014Poking fun at oneself is always fun
@TomahawkNation One troll towel says "RUN" and the other says "PASS".
— Guidasitus (@Nole45) January 10, 2014Or this?
@anthony_raia@TomahawkNation "Go long, brought to you by Enzyte"
— Rod McDowell (@Rod_McDowell) January 10, 2014In the end, though, the best idea is really obvious...
.@TomahawkNation think he should put @Kidz1stFund on them
— Joey V (@jvnoledawg) January 10, 2014Jimbo's youngest son, Ethan, has a rare disease known as fanconi anemia. You should educate yourself about the disease and see what you can do to help out by following their twitter account (@Kidz1stFund).
BONUS: What about up-tempo teams?
Could you sell sponsorships on those playcalling cards the no-huddle teams use? Why isn't this a thing?
— TomahawkNation.com (@TomahawkNation) January 10, 2014Instead of the "Taco Bell Live Mas" play of the game, you could literally cite YUM Brands Corporation on the broadcast!
— TomahawkNation.com (@TomahawkNation) January 10, 2014@TomahawkNation we're going to run Target-Honda-Goodyear-Chipotle
— Ben Swain (@thedevilwolf) January 10, 2014@TomahawkNation "Counter Left brought to you by Mercedes Benz"
— Anthony Raia (@anthony_raia) January 10, 2014