NEW YORK -- Disillusionment. Rickey Henderson Padres Jersey . Fear. Rage.In a divided America, the political conventions are sure to arouse those sensations among the millions of viewers tuned in. Then in a commercial break, an electric guitar will blare the final lines of the The Star-Spangled Banner over images of a diverse group of U.S. athletes tearing up as they heard their national anthem during 2012 Olympic medal ceremonies.The words flash by on the screen, white on a black background, between the shots of sobbing and beaming champions: FOR 17 DAYS ... WE ARE ALL ... UNITED. The 30-second spot closes with a rising American flag, the graphic for NBCs Rio Games coverage and the date of the opening ceremony.NBC is buying ad time on other networks during both conventions the next two weeks, seeking a receptive audience for a not-so-subtle message.The country is more partisan, seemingly, than its ever been, said John Miller, the chief marketing officer for NBC Olympics. And for 17 days, we say were all united. For 17 days, we all root for Team USA. Weve got to put everything aside for a minute.The ad debuted March 15, the day of crucial primaries in Ohio and Florida, and aired on CNN and Fox News along with NBC networks. It appeared frequently during NBCs coverage of the Olympic trials, but it will again accompany non-sports fare at the conventions.Any place theyre talking about politics, thats the spot were going to run, Miller told The Associated Press last week.With so much bleak news over the past few weeks -- terrorist attacks, shootings and political division -- another NBC ad promotes the message of global unity, with athletes narrating scenes of competitors from different countries embracing.I dont know of anything else in the world, the voiceover goes, that brings people together and empowers people so purely as the Olympics does.The motivation for NBC in these spots isnt just to lure in viewers hoping for a break from the news of the day. Its also to seek to frame the Olympics as a pure, inspiring event amid the troubles swirling around the Rio Games -- from the Zika virus to Brazilian political turmoil, from polluted waters to doping scandals.Miller, once the executive behind NBCs classic must-see TV campaign, was looking to counteract those sorts of concerns before the 2008 Games when he first produced an ad with these themes. Beijing brought its own set of worries, from human rights issues to air pollution.This is the part of the story where Miller mentions Yoko Ono. He went to John Lennons widow to buy the rights to Imagine for a 60-second spot with a message of global unity.NBC tested the commercial with potential viewers, and Miller expected it to do well with an older audience. The way the network sells advertising for the Olympics, what matters is the number of households tuned in more than the demographics. So Miller wouldnt have been too alarmed if the spot captivated older viewers but flopped with younger ones.I specifically made it a little schmaltzy to capture that older audience, he recalled.To his shock, the ad, while popular with all ages, tested best with the 18-to-34-year-old range. As he summed up the explanation those younger viewers would relate: The country had been at war at least half of their memorable lives.That notion of American unity, as well as global unity, is extraordinarily strong and resonates with the young as well as the old, Miller said. But it even resonates more strongly with the young.So the theme became a valuable one for NBC to promote both Summer and Winter Games, a way to connect with younger viewers who will one day make up the main audience under the networks lengthy contract to broadcast the Olympics. Miller acknowledged NBC is probably pushing that refrain even harder this time around.It seems to be more appropriate now than ever, he said.NBC dives deep into its research of Olympic viewership, though its never looked specifically into whether depressing news in the real world makes viewers more likely to tune in. As it happens, the Beijing Games marked the start of an upswing for Olympic ratings in the United States.Jim Bell, the executive producer for NBC Olympics, doesnt have any numbers to prove why exactly viewers tune in, but he does know what he keeps hearing from acquaintances who tell him theyre looking forward to the Rio Games: How they need a break -- whether its from their job, or the news cycle, or their kids. San Diego Padres Hoodie . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Andrew Cashner Jersey . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. http://www.baseballpadresofficial.com/tyson-ross-jersey-c-16/ . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. BEREA, Ohio -- Josh Gordons return to the Cleveland Browns practice field was not exactly stressful.Gordon did not take part in any team drills and participated only in the initial individual work, catching passes without defenders.After practice, coach Hue Jackson said Gordon will not play in the preseason game Thursday night against Atlanta. That didnt stop Gordon from vowing he can be the same guy he was in 2013 when he led the NFL in receiving yards while playing 14 games.Im definitely the same guy, he said Monday. Im confident in my abilities. I know what I can do. Just given the opportunity and the right timing, right position and the relying on the rest of the team as much as they rely on me, its a great boost of motivation, and anything is possible for anybody.But I definitely am aware of what I can do, and I think I can build upon that and do even better.Lofty words from a guy who went through his first practice since Dec. 26, 2014, on Monday. On Dec. 27, Gordon missed the final walk-through before the 2014 season finale and was suspended. A few months later, he was suspended for the entire 2015 season for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy.Thats 600 days without practicing, a long time for anyone. And it has many wondering what kind of player Gordon will be, including his teammates.Ill be tuning in just like you guys will, wide receiver Andrew Hawkins said. Josh is an incredible talent. He has incredible ability. I dont know if Id be able to sit oout two years and come back at a high level. Tony Gwynn Padres Jersey. Im not going to count that out of Josh because Im not the freakish athlete like Josh is.Gordon faces a four-game suspension at the start of the 2016 regular season, but the NFL is allowing him to participate in team activities during the ban.Jackson and Art Briles, Gordons college coach at Baylor, both said Gordon had to lose weight. In practice, he looked a little thick around the middle but did not look to be in bad shape, either. Hes listed at 225 pounds.I kind of set my own goal in my head of what I used to play at, Gordon said. But I feel just as strong, just as fast as I felt before, if not stronger, if not faster. So well see how my production is, and well go from there once they evaluate and get some stuff on film. Ill be able to tell how I feel.Gordons biggest challenge is getting back into the physical elements of the game. The daily grind, the hitting, the competition, the physical challenge. Coaches always say that training is not the same as football training. Gordon has been training, but he has been away from the game for almost 20 months.Which is why Jackson wont force anything. He said the team will continue to work its process. Jackson must balance preparing Gordon and getting him in shape with the realization that Gordon will be suspended the first four games. Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys AuthenticWholesale Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaNFL Cheap JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
