Superbowl + will.i.am + FRC hat

[FRC4ME]

Originally Posted by Joe Matt

will.i.am, in one of the worst live performances, during the largest sporting event in America.

If this is the best FIRST can do it's in need of some big help.

And that's assuming people can look into his helmet or whatever and actually see anything, or understand the generic lyrics and actually find the reference to FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION. (Pro-tip: the word first is used for many things.) Can we also remember this is the man who appeared in "hologram" on CNN on election night.

I mean really guys, I come back to find CD defending the Black Eye Peas. REALLY?

Honestly, I think the subtle reference was the best we could have hoped for. No one is going to suddenly look up FRC now after seeing the halftime show. But it is not will.I.am's job to tell people about FIRST. That's our job. What he did is give us a talking point. He knew we would see the references while the general public would not. That's an opportunity! Now what's the first thing you'll say when you're telling someone about FIRST? "Remember the superbowl halftime show? Did you notice that those lyrics were a bit different? Guess what he was referring to?" This will work for anyone who watched the superbowl, and once they realize there was indeed a reference, they will undoubtedly be impressed.

Also, the FRC logo on the helmet was clearly will.I.am's best possible effort to fulfill Dean's request to wear the hat without ruining the costume. I'm shocked that people are criticizing him for breaking a promise when he (1) never actually promised anything and (2) attempted to fulfill it anyway.

Making FIRST mainstream will take a lot more time and effort than a simple celebrity endorsement. The fact that we even got a reference in the superbowl is amazing. Now let's get back to work...