Boxing legend Mike Tyson is using his platform to deliver a stark public health message during this year’s Super Bowl: “Processed food kills.” The 30-second advertisement, which aired during the game on , urges viewers to “Eat Real Food” and directs them to the website realfood.gov.
Tyson, in the ad, connects the issue to America’s standing on the world stage. “We’re the most powerful country in the world,” he says, punctuating the statement with an air punch. “And we have the most obese, pudgy people. Something has to be done about processed food in this country.” The spot also reveals a personal dimension, alluding to Tyson’s own health struggles.
The advertisement’s message is particularly poignant for Tyson, who reportedly lost his sister at age 25 due to a heart attack linked to obesity, according to a report from the New York Times. This personal connection underscores the urgency of his call to action.
While the ad’s message is direct, the funding source is less immediately apparent. The advertisement includes a disclosure, in small print, that it was funded by “MAHA Center Inc.,” an organization largely unknown to the public. According to CBS News, the MAHA Center is a nonprofit led by Tony Lyons, who also leads MAHA Action and other political groups associated with the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.
The campaign, backed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s allies, aims to shift the national conversation around food and health. The ad’s appearance during the Super Bowl, a traditionally expensive and highly-watched advertising slot, signals a significant investment in the MAHA movement’s goals. Politico reported that the ad was aired during the Super Bowl, highlighting the campaign’s reach.
The website linked in the ad, realfood.gov, is the Trump administration’s platform for revamped dietary guidelines, developed by the National Design Studio, which was founded by Airbnb co-founder and billionaire Joe Gebbia. This connection raises questions about the ad’s broader political context and the influence of various stakeholders in shaping national food policy.
The ad’s approval by the NFL also sparked surprise, as evidenced by posts on social media from figures like “The Food Babe,” who expressed disbelief that the NFL would allow such a message to air during the Super Bowl. The Food Babe shared the news on both Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtag #MAHA.
Notably, the White House also endorsed the ad, sharing posts across its social media channels, according to reporting from foodfix.co. This bipartisan support suggests a growing consensus around the need to address issues related to processed food and public health. The endorsement from the White House adds another layer of complexity to the narrative surrounding the ad and the MAHA campaign.
The timing of the ad’s release, coinciding with the Super Bowl, is strategic. With an audience exceeding 100 million viewers, the advertisement has the potential to reach a vast segment of the American population and spark a national dialogue about the impact of processed foods on health. The ad’s message, delivered by a recognizable and influential figure like Mike Tyson, is likely to resonate with viewers and encourage them to reconsider their dietary choices.
