Samsung Campaign Softens On-Field Rivalry Between Josh Norman, Dez Bryant

Redskins CB Josh Norman said he and Cowboys WR Dez Bryant are now "advertising buds" after appearing in a campaign together for Samsung that played off their on-field rivalry, according to Matthew Paras of the WASHINGTON TIMES. Bryant "liked the idea" and signed on immediately, but Samsung "needed both." Norman initially was hesitant, but he said, "I was just like, you know what? Let’s go with it. Let’s see what happens." Paras notes one spot in the campaign depicts reporters asking Norman "at a press conference about his hostility toward Bryant." Norman in the ad "flatly denies all, only to use, obviously, even flagrantly, his Samsung Galaxy Note 8 to trash the wide receiver in real time." While they did not shoot their commercials together, Norman said that Bryant "reached out to him" during the filming. Norman is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, but Redskins coach Jay Gruden said that he "expects the Bryant-Norman rivalry to be the same as previous years, despite the advertising campaign" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 10/27). Norman said that filming the ad "was one of the highlights of his offseason." He lightheartedly said, "I guess good money solves and heals everything off the field, right?" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/27).