Bud Light's Miserable Year Just Got Even Worse

Bud Light is once again facing criticism over an ad campaign, this time featuring NFL legend Peyton Manning.

The beer brand teamed up with Manning and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith for a series of ads promoting its Super Bowl ticket competition.

Bud Light and its parent company, Anheuser-Busch faced boycott calls in March after partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney and gifting her personalized, not-for-sale cans of beer with her face on them.

The boycott campaign led to some big names criticizing Bud Light, including Kid Rock, who has since changed his tune, and saw Anheuser-Busch's stock value drop temporarily.

In Bud Light's new ad, bar patrons watch Manning as he orders at a crowded bar. He announces a round of Bud Lights is on him for the entire bar and in his trademark quarterback style, starts passing cans of Bud Light to the people with deep throws, Hail Marys and perfect spirals, without spilling a single drop. As a fan makes a diving catch, Smith appears in the crowd to call the touchdown, and joins Manning in passing out more beers to the crowd.

"Experiencing the playoffs or the Super Bowl is a special moment for a fan, and I'm happy that Emmitt and I get to be part of Bud Light's mission to host their largest ever NFL postseason ticket giveaway," Manning said in an Anheuser-Busch statement.

Smith added: "Having won three Super Bowls, I know that the Super Bowl is one of the most incredible experiences for both fans and players. Giving fans the chance to attend a game this postseason is why I am so excited to partner with Bud Light throughout the NFL Playoffs."

The ad is set to run in 30- and 15-second formats throughout the NFL Playoff season, leading up to Super Bowl LVIII next year. It will then become part of the brand's larger "Easy to Drink, Easy to Enjoy" campaign, which has run since Super Bowl LVII.

But a social media furor kicked off with a follow-up ad featuring Manning recruiting current NFL players to help with the giveaway. It shows Manning coming up with a name for the competition called "Peyton it forward," but then all the following players use their own names to come up with puns to rename the contest.

"I lost all respect for you Payton. Your already filthy rich and you sold yourself to the devil for more money," wrote one person on X, formerly Twitter in response to the more recent ad.

And another wrote: "Shame on you. Do better. Why the f**** are you offering yourself at this? Same with you, Emmit."

But not everybody was angry at the beer brand or Manning.

"The Peyton Manning, Emmitt Smith Bud Light commercial....One of the best I've ever seen," commented one fan.

A second added: "Great ad & Great 🍻 #LFG"