News

Introducing the KFC Buckets: Americas's first fried chicken-fueled football team

September 8, 2016

KFC is putting the colonel everywhere these days, including now, on the football field. The brand today announced its Kentucky Buckets  football team, complete with their red-and-white jerseys, string ties and fried chicken-adorned white helmets. The team’s owner, general manager, head coach, defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator, marketing director, groundskeeper and scouting director, Rob Riggles — who is also an actor, comedian and writer — was named Coach Colonel.  

"I've got one goal in mind," said Riggle. "To get buckets of delicious chicken across the goal line and in front of millions of fans on football Sundays. And Thursdays. And Mondays."

The team – which a news release swears is a real American football organization (whatever that means) – is cheered on by its own cheer squad and mascot, Mr. Bucketeer. In fact, Riggles is even a real colonel, according to KFC, who said in a news release that Riggles is a retired Lt. Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. As such, he is the first “true” colonel with the chain since founder, Colonel Sanders.

KFC is also using this appointment to generate tumbler traffic, by directing fans to its page on the social media venue to learn about the team’s training regimen of heavy hand-breading and frying chicken. The brand is even encouraging fans to support the team by buying its favorite pre-game meal: A $20 Fill Up, as well as its new Extra Crispy Tenders $20 Fill Up, and watching the team on Fox NFL Kickoff, where the Buckets will star in promotions with Cooper Manning.