From Fantasy Football Disappointment to IHOP Humor: Malik Nabers Turns Injury into Laughs
In a hilarious twist that combines America’s love for football, fantasy sports, and pancakes, New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers has partnered with IHOP to create a commercial that pokes fun at his season-ending ACL injury and its devastating impact on fantasy football teams nationwide. As the NFL regular season winds down, fantasy football leagues across the country are preparing to enforce their traditional last-place punishments, one of which commonly involves the unfortunate loser spending 24 hours in a restaurant like IHOP, eating pancakes in a display of delicious penance.
Nabers, the Giants’ talented receiver who was sidelined in Week 4 with a torn ACL, has turned his misfortune into comedy gold. The commercial humorously addresses the disappointment felt by countless fantasy football managers who selected Nabers in the first round of their drafts, only to see their championship hopes dashed when he was injured. In the advertisement, Nabers sits in an IHOP booth with crutches nearby, stating, “Every year, thousands of fantasy football leagues make their last-place team spend 24 hours at IHOP eating pancakes.” A waitress then delivers the punchline by interrupting, “Just like you helped everyone’s fantasy team this season?”—a sharp but good-natured jab at how his injury likely sent many fantasy teams spiraling toward last place.
The commercial reaches its comedic peak when a young boy approaches Nabers and asks if it’s really him. After Nabers confirms his identity, the child bluntly exclaims, “I wasted my first-round pick on you!”—capturing the raw frustration of fantasy managers everywhere who had invested heavily in the Giants star. This self-deprecating humor showcases Nabers’ ability to find levity in a situation that was undoubtedly difficult for him professionally, while also acknowledging the parasocial relationship that exists between NFL players and the millions of fans who draft them in fantasy leagues each year.
Before his injury, the 22-year-old Nabers was on track for another stellar season, following a record-breaking rookie year in which he amassed 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns—setting the all-time record for catches by a rookie wide receiver. His promising sophomore campaign was cut short after just four games, during which he had already accumulated 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns. The abrupt end to his season not only impacted the Giants’ offensive capabilities but also left a gaping hole in the lineups of fantasy football teams nationwide, potentially causing many managers to face the very IHOP punishment featured in the commercial.
The partnership between Nabers and IHOP represents a creative approach to athlete endorsements, capitalizing on the increasingly popular culture of fantasy football punishments that has emerged over the past decade. These punishments have become increasingly elaborate and public, ranging from embarrassing costumes to tattoos, but the “24 hours at IHOP” challenge remains one of the most iconic and manageable consequences. By leaning into this cultural phenomenon, both Nabers and IHOP demonstrate a savvy understanding of contemporary sports fandom and its intersection with popular culture, turning an unfortunate injury into a marketing opportunity that resonates with football fans and casual observers alike.
As fantasy football seasons conclude and last-place managers prepare for their pancake marathons, Nabers continues his recovery with hopes of returning to form for the 2023 season. Fantasy owners who were burned this year will have to decide whether to risk another high draft pick on the talented receiver, weighing his undeniable skill against the possibility of reinjury. Regardless of their decision, this clever commercial ensures that Nabers will be remembered this off-season not just for the injury that derailed fantasy seasons, but also for his good-humored approach to acknowledging the unexpected ripple effects that professional athletes’ performances—and injuries—have on the millions of fans who invest emotionally and sometimes financially in fantasy sports each year.
