Inside the viral Dr Pepper ad run by Ohio State quarterback Will Howard: “What was that I just watched?”

In a world where college football and sports marketing have become intertwined with pop culture, few moments stand out as much as the recent viral Dr Pepper commercial featuring Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. The ad, which quickly caught the attention of viewers across the country, has sparked intense conversation, meme creation, and a significant amount of social media buzz. But what made the commercial so memorable, and why is it causing such a stir among sports fans, college football enthusiasts, and casual viewers alike?

At first glance, Dr Pepper’s advertisement might appear to be another typical commercial attempting to merge sports with entertainment, but there’s something about the Will Howard ad that makes it an instant classic—or, at the very least, a viral sensation. From its quirky storyline to its unexpected moments, the commercial has generated a flood of questions, with people asking, “What exactly did I just watch?”

This deep dive will explore the viral Dr Pepper ad, dissect its cultural significance, and analyze why it’s become a defining moment in sports advertising. We’ll explore its origins, the creative process behind its production, and the reactions it’s garnered from fans, viewers, and the media.

The Dr Pepper Ad: A Snapshot

The ad itself centers on Will Howard, the Ohio State quarterback, who is depicted as part of a chaotic and surreal scene in which he’s put in an outlandish situation that quickly becomes both bizarre and funny. The ad presents a scenario where Howard is tasked with something seemingly simple but gradually escalates into a hilarious and unexpected turn of events. As the story unfolds, viewers are left bewildered and entertained by the oddity of the situation and the strange, surreal humor.

In typical sports advertising fashion, Dr Pepper uses the commercial to highlight its product (a well-known soft drink in the world of college football) while attempting to weave humor and relatability into the mix. The tagline for the ad, paired with Howard’s comedic expressions and reactions, has helped it make a strong impression.

A New Era of Sports Advertising

What makes this particular Dr Pepper ad different from the countless others in the sports marketing world? The answer lies in the shifting landscape of college sports marketing and the creative approaches brands are now taking to engage younger audiences.

For years, sports advertisements have followed a fairly traditional formula: athletes endorsing a product, often in settings that reflect their on-field persona. We’ve seen it all before—professional athletes shooting hoops in commercials for energy drinks, football stars in car ads, and tennis players promoting apparel. While these ads have their place, a new wave of advertising is taking hold, driven by humor, quirkiness, and an increased focus on viral marketing.

Dr Pepper, which has been a longtime sponsor of college football through its “Fansville” series, has set itself apart by taking a more unconventional, satirical approach to its campaigns. In recent years, they’ve embraced the absurd, taking risks by crafting stories that push boundaries in terms of comedy and surrealism, making their ads stand out among the crowded landscape of corporate sponsorships.

With the Will Howard ad, Dr Pepper capitalizes on this growing trend of blending unexpected humor with relatable college football moments. But what exactly made the ad go viral, and why are people still talking about it weeks later?

The Unexpected Star: Will Howard

Will Howard, who is relatively unknown outside the college football world, finds himself as the unlikely star of this viral ad. The sophomore quarterback from Ohio State had already garnered attention on the field for his impressive play, but the Dr Pepper commercial catapults him into the pop culture zeitgeist.

Howard’s role in the commercial is key to its success. He brings an authenticity to the ad—viewers can easily tell that he’s not just reading from a script but rather playing along with the ridiculousness of the situation. His expressive face and natural comedic timing create a stark contrast to the often serious, high-stakes nature of college football.

His performance is a testament to the growing trend of athletes embracing their personalities beyond the field and showing off their comedic chops in front of a national audience. Will Howard’s unintentional humor and bewildered expressions helped sell the absurdity of the commercial’s premise, earning him a new fanbase that has come to appreciate his comedic side just as much as his athleticism.

What Was That I Just Watched?

So, what exactly did viewers watch in this viral ad? The commercial plays with surreal humor and absurdity, which leaves audiences both perplexed and amused. It features a scene that begins with Howard in a standard college football setting, before being thrust into a completely unpredictable and bizarre situation.

In one key moment, Howard is seen attempting to engage in a seemingly normal scenario—perhaps meeting with fans, attending a game, or participating in a media session—but quickly, the setting distorts, and everything becomes increasingly nonsensical. As the ad progresses, the commercial introduces strange, outlandish elements, such as exaggerated sound effects, random objects appearing on-screen, and bizarre character interactions, all of which escalate the absurdity.

Throughout the ad, Howard remains confused and somewhat overwhelmed, his facial expressions and body language signaling his inability to make sense of the chaos unfolding around him. At the same time, viewers can’t help but laugh at the surrealism and randomness of it all.

The moment that probably defines the commercial, and one that viewers have repeatedly shared and commented on, is when Howard’s reaction transitions from confusion to awe. It’s a snapshot of genuine bewilderment, an authentic response to the absurdity of the commercial. Dr Pepper’s creative direction shines through in this moment, perfectly matching the tone they were hoping to strike—something so odd that it’s funny, yet so bizarre that it leaves people asking, “What just happened?”

Viral Marketing in Action

One of the most significant reasons for the ad’s viral success is how it taps into the world of meme culture. In today’s internet age, memes are often born from moments of unexpected absurdity, humor, or shock. The Will Howard Dr Pepper ad is the perfect storm for such a cultural moment. Its surreal nature means that fans of the commercial have created countless memes, parodies, and remixes, all revolving around Howard’s confused but amused expressions.

Moreover, the timing of the ad’s release played a role in its success. With college football in full swing, and Ohio State’s football program in the national spotlight, the commercial captured the attention of not only Ohio State fans but also fans of college football and pop culture in general. The hashtag #WhatWasThatIJustWatched quickly gained traction on social media platforms, with users sharing their reactions to the ad and offering their own takes on what the bizarre commercial was really about.

Dr Pepper also capitalized on the college football season by integrating key elements of the sport into the commercial. College sports fans are known for their passion, and Dr Pepper’s attempt to make an ad that feels like a “shared experience” for fans—combining humor, absurdity, and college football culture—helped it gain massive traction in the social media sphere.

Reactions: From Amusement to Confusion

Reactions to the ad were mixed but overwhelmingly positive. Fans of Will Howard and Ohio State were thrilled to see their quarterback being recognized on a national stage, even in such an unusual context. Many were impressed by Howard’s ability to maintain his composure while taking on an entirely new role in a commercial that was far from the typical football ad.

On the flip side, many viewers were left scratching their heads, asking themselves, “What did I just watch?” Some people took to social media to express their confusion, while others leaned into the surreal humor, posting memes and gifs that encapsulated their bewilderment. The combination of confusion and amusement quickly created a viral snowball effect, with each viewer sharing the ad with friends, family, and followers.

What was perhaps most striking about the reactions was the consensus that, despite the oddity of the ad, it was still incredibly entertaining. The commercial has thus far become a talking point for those interested in the intersection of sports, marketing, and pop culture.

The Larger Impact on Dr Pepper and Ohio State

In terms of brand impact, the Dr Pepper ad has undoubtedly delivered. The company succeeded in creating an advertisement that has captured the attention of both college football fans and casual viewers, generating discussions across various social media platforms. Beyond just selling their product, the ad has created a buzz around Dr Pepper’s connection to college football, reinforcing their image as a fun, approachable brand that understands the culture surrounding the sport.

For Ohio State and Will Howard, the commercial represents a unique form of exposure. Howard, in particular, has gained widespread recognition not just as a quarterback but also as an entertainer, showing off a humorous side that few people knew he had. For Ohio State, the ad provides another layer to their already rich football brand, associating them with a viral cultural moment.