ESPN Premieres STAR WARS Themed ‘Admiral Ackbar for Ole Miss Mascot’ Commercial

No, it’s not a trap. Admiral Ackbar was very nearly crowned the new mascot at the University of Mississippi. Monday night, ESPN premiered a commercial that makes light of the situation but it is, in fact, a true story. In February, the students of Ole Miss voted to change their mascot from the dated “Coloniel Reb” and Ackbar, the Mon Calamari who leads the Rebel Alliance in their attack against the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi, garnered a lot of support. The talk got so serious that Lucasfilm even released a brief statement embracing the idea:

“Lucasfilm is flattered that our Star Wars fans at the University of Mississippi are considering electing Admiral Ackbar as their mascot. The last time we checked in with Admiral Ackbar he was leading the Rebel Alliance Fleet on a critical mission so it will be difficult for him to show up for the games!”

Ultimately, Ackbar’s nomination spawned a lot of backlash and he wasn’t one of the final nominees. The contest is still ongoing. But the commercial still rocks. Check it out after the jump.

—

http://fenfilms.blogspot.com/ Taylor F

If it had came true, could you imagine the chants of “It’s a trap!” by the thousands in the stadium. One side saying, “It’s a” and the other responding “Trap”.
OB-1

Perfect!
The Admiral’s name in Pig-Latin is Barack!
York987

No, it would be Ackbarahay, but nice try…
Smoke1414

I love OLE MISS ! That is correct name or THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI !I’m fine with out a mascot because people can’t be happy . Wine if it’s one way or wine if another it’s fine to
Have freedom but it’s ridiculous that everyone wants to think of something racism about anything . It’s like everyone has to much time on your hands . Get out and do somthing . Let my colonel reb. Be any color or size but stop playing this like a game heck I’m offended by that…so HOTTY TODDY
TragicVillain

Many Bothans died to get him his nomination…
- Not ignorant
  
  do you seriously think that liberals are causing this? really? You are really quite ignorant
  - Not ignorant
    
    sorry, meant to reply to the asswipe below me
Pingback: ESPN and Admiral Ackbar’s TV Commercial | Filmdogs
Tired of the whining

Colonel Reb will ALWAYS be the mascot for Ole Miss. To hell with all of these liberal idiots who are upset with tradition. If the historical mascot for this university offends anyone, you are free to go to another university or shut the hell up.
- Not ignorant
  
  do you seriously think that liberals are causing this? really? You are really quite ignorant, Blaming this on liberals makes YOU look an idiot
rebel

that commercial was an embarrassment to the university of mississippi. after the loss to jacksonville state and that terrible commercial we literally are the laughing stock of the SEC right now. Admiral Ackbar was never a legit candidate for the mascot position and majority of the student body still wants Colonel Reb despite what the ASB may say…

Colonel Reb is my Mascot
Umreb655

1st…the Ole Miss students did NOT vote to change Col Reb, the administration removed the mascot without any vote of the students and/or community. 2nd…Ackbar was never a real choice of masco….it was blown up incorrectly by news reports which have reported the wrong story….Ackbar came in to play with the phrase “it’s a trap” talking about the administration was tricking/screwing the students….
MCP

Great comm., but who cares about Ole Missy, they got beat by some crap Jacksonville St. team. Definitely the bottom of the SEC!! HAAHAHAHAHAHAH

end of line
liberal idiot

You’re “traditions” are lame.
liberal idiot

You’re “traditions” are lame.
Anonymous

That blond girl at 34 seconds is HOT! Glad Ackbar won’t be the mascot. That would just be stupid. Meesa loves Ackbar.
Bob Bobson

Your use of “you’re” instead of “your” is lame.
rebelfreely

I don’t want apther mascot. Ole miss are the rebels. put a rebel on the field. If prolly vote for something ridiculous too if I didn’t have a mascot on account of it being called racist. He looked like a pimp if you ask me. big ole hat and a cane. Who wouldn’t want a pimp named colonel rebel. And they say he represents slave owners. How. He is a colonel and a pimp.
Obamie

No, it would be “Ackbaray”, but nice try. It’s truncated. In fact, Ackbar does stem for our Head Kenyan in Charge. He has that same fishy appearance, uses a teleprompter and his opposed eyes render him in capable of seeing issues in their proper perspective. Just like Barak!!!
Cvgmob

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaa

The commercial was funny you uptight douche.
Cvgmob

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaa

The commercial was funny you uptight douche.
Flex22ash

Nothing says Southern Pride like a fish that drives a space ship..?
Blunderbuss

You don’t have to go to Ole Miss to realize in ten seconds that Mississippi soldiers fought in the Revolutionary War and were hence Rebels against the English. Change the mascots hat to a tricorn and carry muskets instead of rifles.
Rtb2525

Amen. I too am tired of the historical revisionists that want to sanitize our history and want us to ignore our Confederate Heroes and our proud Confederate past. Since the Civil War had little to so with slavery (read and know your history, not what was spoon fed to you in the government schools) and everything to do with states rights, we all need to be proud of our Southern Heritage…shame on Ole Miss for forgetting that point.
- anonymous
  
  You’re a bunch of idiots. Not that I support slavery, but you guys coulda made it if you played your cards right. Then we wouldn’t have to listen to your accents all the time…
Rtb2525

Liberalism is lame…
LloydBenson

Suprise! The cheerleaders didn’t approve. Well, having a sense of humor does not jibe with Ra-Ra’ing apparently. Bless their General Ed and Communication Majors hearts.

by Germain Lussier Posted: September 7th, 2010 at 8:26 am

Tags:

Related Links:

Comments:

Features