Leon Sandcastle

Leon Sandcastle is a fictional character, depicted as a disguise for Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. The Sandcastle character was created for an NFL Network commercial. Sandcastle first appeared in a Super Bowl commercial in 2013.[1] The commercial depicted Sanders suggesting he could still play at a level higher than the rookies in the 2013 NFL Draft and deciding to make a comeback. He dons an afro, assumes the impromptu alias "Leon Sandcastle" and enters the draft, going through the full NFL Scouting Combine. For action shots, Ball State cornerback Andre Dawson served as the stunt double.[2] The commercial features Sandcastle being drafted 1st overall in the draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. A voiceover then instructs viewers to watch NFL Network for offseason and draft coverage, noting in deadpan at the end that "the next rookie sensation probably won't be Leon Sandcastle."[3]

Leon Sandcastle
First appearanceFebruary 3, 2013
Created byNFL Network
Portrayed byDeion Sanders, Andre Dawson
Voiced byDeion Sanders
In-universe information
AliasPrimetimes
GenderMale
TitleCornerback
OccupationProfessional football player
Nationality United States

Despite not being an actual prospect for the 2013 NFL Draft, several combine videos have been created. The most prominent of these videos is Sandcastle's "4.2 40 yard dash."[4] The NFL also created a "Combine Profile" for Sandcastle, as they do with actual prospects.[5] In Rich Eisen's 2013 annual 'Run Rich Run' event, Sandcastle appeared giving tips to Eisen.[6] Sandcastle's combine profile reveals that Sandcastle attended Primetime University.[5][7] The commercial had a positive social media response as "Leon Sandcastle" was trending on Twitter worldwide, shortly after the commercial's airing.[8] Sandcastle was also put into Madden NFL 13 as a card in the 'Ultimate Team' game mode.[9] For April Fools' Day, 2013, NFL.com reported that Sandcastle would be the Chiefs' first overall selection.[10]

The character developed marketing value and continued to appear in headlines, such as a fake endorsement deal with Under Armour[11] and continued to make other appearance at NFL events.[12] Sandcastle also had football trading cards produced and inserted into products by Topps and Panini America.[13]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)		 195 lb
(88 kg)		 36 in
(0.91 m)		 9 1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.17 s 1.59 s 2.43 s DNP s 6.39 s 47 in
(1.19 m)		 11.6 ft 3⁄4 in
(3.55 m)		 19 reps
Splits from NFL Combine video, all other statistics provided by NFL.com[5]

References
  1. Joel Thorman (February 3, 2013). "Super Bowl commercials 2013: Deion Sanders is Leon Sandcastle, the Chiefs No. 1 pick". Arrowhead Pride. SB Nation. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  2. Mike Foss (February 7, 2013). "The true identity of Leon Sandcastle (NOT Deion Sanders)". USA Today. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  3. "Super Bowl ad touts the Chiefs' No. 1 pick, 'Leon Sandcastle'". Kansas City Star. February 3, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  4. "Leon Sandcastle runs the 40-yard dash". NFL.com. February 25, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  5. "CB21 Leon Sandcastle". NFL.com. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  6. Tim Daniels (February 26, 2013). "NFL Combine 2013 Video: Watch Leon Sandcastle Race Rich Eisen in 40-Yard Dash". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  7. Ernie Padaon (February 22, 2013). "Leon Sandcastle Profile On NFL.Com". Bolt Beat. SI.com. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  8. Gina Antoniello (February 5, 2013). "Super Bowl Ads Featuring Professional Athletes: A Win-Win for Brands". International Business Times. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  9. David Light (February 24, 2013). "LEON SANDCASTLE SNEAKS HIS WAY INTO MADDEN 13". Go Madden. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  10. "Leon Sandcastle will be drafted No. 1 overall by Chiefs". National Football League. April 1, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  11. Nudd, Tim (April 11, 2013). "Leon Sandcastle Signs Fake but Funny Endorsement Deal With Under Armour". Ad Week. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  12. Tang, Dennis (April 26, 2013). "Style Report: The NFL Draft's Best Look...on a 300-Pound Lineman?". GQ. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  13. Cracknell, Ryan (December 6, 2016). "Primetime Guide to Collecting Leon Sandcastle Cards". Cardboard Connection. Retrieved December 6, 2016.


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