Not In My House: Dikembe Mutombo Stars In Humorous Geico Commercial

Former NBAer Dikembe Mutombo is the latest celebrity to appear in a Geico commercial, and he said that he "rarely goes anywhere without someone wanting to talk" about it, according to Chris Vivlamore of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Mutombo is second in NBA history for career blocked shots, and in the ad he blocks an office worker "throwing away a piece of paper," a woman taking laundry "out of a washing machine, a driver at a toll booth, a man throwing away a coffee filter and a child getting a box of cereal in the grocery store." Each time he "taunts the rejected with a wagging finger and deep-voiced laugh." Finally, he "knocks the G off GEICO" at the end of the commercial. Mutombo was "approached by a representative of the insurance company and agreed to take part." He went to L.A. in December for "a 13-hour shooting day done at four locations." Mutombo was "caught by surprise" when the commercial began airing several weeks ago. He said that "eliminating the ‘G’ was most enjoyable, just ahead of blasting cereal all over an aisle much to the dismay of a young boy." Mutombo also "has been approached about the possibility of doing another commercial." Mutombo said, "After being off the basketball court for a while, being seen on TV doing something that the fans admire so much with your style of play and signature. I think it brought so many great memories to the fans. It also gave me great exposure for me and also for my foundation" (AJC.com, 2/25).