CoverGirl's NFL Ad Becomes a Tool For Protest

By: Jovi Javert

Hard to believe that CoverGirl would use their models for protest, but in light of the recent domestic violence issue with former Ravens running back Ray Rice and NFL’s Roger Goodell's first initial action against Rice, we’re seeing a more united front against this issue.

 I know, I was shocked to think that CoverGirl would take such a bold statement against this issue; they’re not however, protesters across this great nation decided to take a stance against the injustice they’ve witness from the NFL.

Before I get to the nitty gritty of this article, I wanted to thank these protesters and all those brave enough to make such bold statements to bring this issue into light.

CoverGirl’s easy breezy, beautiful ad is well known, in fact nearly everyone can recite it, but it’s usual campaign ad has gone under a new makeover at the hands of Roger Goodell protesters who are more than adept at Photoshop.

The “official beauty partner of the NFL” had launched a football-themed ad series recently, advertising eye shadows and makeup that would coordinate with the teams’ color. So protesters against Goodell decided to Photoshop a black eye on the model that sported the Ravens colors.

On twitter many supporters of the protesters reposted this picture along with the hastag “#GoodellMustGo #BoycottNFL #GetYourGameFaceOn.”

So why are people angry with Roger Goodell??? Well, this was due to his failure to handle the Rice situation, (where he first initially gave him a 2 game suspension). Although, the NFL denies that it received the elevator footage where Rice severely beat and knocked out then-fiancé Janay Palmer, no one is really buying it.

A women’s advocacy group Ultraviolet has also plastered the hastag on banners that were flown over serveral NFL stadiums during Sunday’s game. If you’re thinking that perhaps Ultraviolet had Photoshopped this CoverGirl photo, neither them nor any other person has come forward to take claim on their work.

And they don’t have to, because their message has been well received...

The NFL however has issued this statement in regards to this protest: 

"As a brand that has always supported women and stood for female empowerment, COVERGIRL believes domestic violence is completely unacceptable. We developed our NFL program to celebrate the more than 80 million female football fans. In light of recent events, we have encouraged the NFL to take swift action on their path forward to address the issue of domestic violence."

Below we’ve provided the unedited CoverGirl photo.