Les Miles was named the new spokesman for Louisiana’s turfgrass industry today by Mike Strain, Commissioner of Louisiana’s Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Miles, head coach of the Louisiana State University Tiger football team has a deep love and passion for grass. Sports fans in the United States have witnessed Miles stooping down to snatch a blade of grass and put it in his mouth during nationally broadcasted football games.
Miles will be featured in advertisements on both television and the internet promoting Louisiana’s turfgrass and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. There will also be print ads, billboards and posters made to send to nurseries and retail stores in the State promoting turfgrass grown in Louisiana.
Miles made his “grass” habit known last year during the LSU-Alabama football game played in Tiger Stadium. Miles was caught on camera reaching down for some grass, putting it in his mouth and chewing on it. Miles often called the “MadHatter” was teased and talked about for weeks following the game. Being the sport he is, he went along with all and commented on the incident saying it was not a big deal.
Apparently the State of Louisiana thinks it is a very big deal and has scooped up Miles for endorsing a Louisiana product. Strain’s office released this statement from Coach Miles, “Nothing beats Louisiana-grown turfgrass. It’s local, fresh and reliable. And it’s the grass of champions, whether you chew it for luck or not.”
One of the first ads that will feature Miles promoting the Louisiana product will show Miles wearing a headset saying, “You Don’t Have To Chew It To Love It. Louisiana Grown Turfgrass. Demand It.” The new ad campaign is set to start in the next few weeks and should make a debut before the holiday season.
Miles also has a promotional endorsement with Raising Cane’s, a local chicken finger business that has stores all over the United State. The turfgrass endorsement is 100% fitting for Miles, who has a humorous personality, and can never be called boring.
Strain is excited about the endorsement and stated in the press release, “We couldn’t have dreamed of a better spokesperson for Louisiana turfgrass than Les Miles.”
Source:
Press Release: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry