Drew Brees fakes lightning strike in promotional stunt for online sportsbook

Legendary New Orleans Saints backmost Drew Brees faked being struck by lightning arsenic portion of a promotional stunt for betting institution PointsBet.

A video clip posted to Twitter connected Friday showed Brees filming a commercialized for PointsBet successful Catatumbo, Venezuela, a determination known for its lightning strikes, erstwhile a bolt seemingly hits him and knocks the accumulation disconnected kilter.

It was viewed much than 1 cardinal times arsenic of midday Friday.

Brees confirmed successful a subsequent video that he's perfectly good and "buzzing" astir the sportsbook's latest connection involving its "lightning bets," which let users to marque in-game wagers.

The stunt comes arsenic online sportsbooks summation popularity and combat for customers.

"Well it's surely a shock, virtually and figuratively," said Patrick Rishe, manager of the sports concern programme astatine Washington University successful St. Louis. "I would accidental this is astir apt 1 of the worst decisions he's made arsenic a nationalist figure."

Rishe said it's wide PointsBet tried to bash thing bonzer to get attraction successful the online sports betting market, which is dominated by DraftKings and FanDuel, "but boy, this truly feels similar it's crossing the line."

A typical for Brees did not respond for comment. Brees is an ambassador for PointsBet, which trades connected the Australian Stock Exchange and has operations successful the United States, Canada and Ireland.