Nothing screams McDonald’s fast food like having two of the greatest athletes of the era playing basketball for a Big Mac.
Michael Jordan and Larry Bird faced off countless times during their respective primes, but perhaps no rivalry was more intense than their shooting contest over a bag of McDonald’s food. At least that’s what they want you to think when you watch the “Golden Arches” 1993 Super Bowl ad…
The ad, titled “Showdown,” featured Jordan and Bird in an increasingly competitive “First to Miss Game.” There are many great moments throughout the commercial, but my personal favorite is when Larry lays out the ground rules and says:
“The first one to miss will see the winner eat…no dunks allowed.”
If slam dunks were allowed, the commercial might be over before it even started. But instead, the two all-time greats have been going back and forth for years, each shot being more exaggerated and overdone than the last.
This is truly a legendary ad, and the music alone will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time:
For all we know, the two could still face off in that shooting competition.
Social media users loved the nostalgic feel of the ad, and while many commented on other memorable Super Bowl ads in their replies, many just came to appreciate Bird’s fun matchup with Jordan and the Big Mac online:
classic!they don’t make them like they used to
— Brian 🏴☠️🦍💯 (@BrianCh70046490) February 8, 2024
Classic showdown!
— Paul Powell (@PaulHPowell13) February 8, 2024
This is gold “I will fight for you 🤡”
— Bagzy (@bagzy11) February 8, 2024
Back to a time when advertising was creative and fun!
— Brian Smith (@smithwbrian68) February 8, 2024
Can we go back to this time?
— Sean from BevX (@Sean_BevX) February 8, 2024