SALT LAKE CITY – THE NFL took its use of alternative shows to another level with an animated toy story-themed version of the Week 4 game in London between the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars hosted the Falcons at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday October 1st.
In addition to the main broadcast of the match, the league tested an alternative broadcast using animation. The Falcons vs. Jaguars contest was featured “Funday Football” on Disney+ like a football match taking place in the world of Toy Story.
It’s… wild.
???? Football Toy Story Funday on Disney+ pic.twitter.com/jVMeBAyxZ7
– NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023
Wembley Stadium versus Andy’s room.
????: ESPN+/Disney+ pic.twitter.com/9SejXHrpG3
– NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023
Instead of Wembley Stadium, Atlanta and Jacksonville played in the bedroom of Andy, a main character from the 1995 Pixar Animation Studio animated film.
I am here for this. ???? #NFL #ATLvsJAX #DirtyBirds #DUUUVAL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/BeKkNKYbXW
– Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 1, 2023
In Andy’s room, elements of the Toy Story series participated in the game. “The Claw” helped by placing the ball at the line of scrimmage before each play.
THE CLAW SPOTS THE BULLET
???? Football Toy Story Funday on Disney+ pic.twitter.com/DsaXThRnth
– NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023
As the first half began, Toy Story Funday Football seemed to be a popular choice among football fans.
Early morning football today in London with the Falcons vs Jaguars game.
How do you look?#NFL #ATLvsJAX #DirtyBirds #DUUUVAL @kslsports
– Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 1, 2023
In January 2021, the NFL presented an alternate broadcast of a playoff game between the New Orleans Saints and the Chicago Bears on Nickelodeon.
The league followed up with additional games on Nickelodeon in January 2022 and December 2022.
The shows were aimed at younger audiences and featured elements such as Nickelodeon’s iconic slime.
Earlier in 2023, the NFL announced that another Nickelodeon game would take place on Christmas Day between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs. In February 2024, Super Bowl LVIII will be simulcast in the Nickelodeon format.
LANDING! @49ers light up the slime cannons at our house #NickWildCard game pic.twitter.com/jTevaZyYx0
– Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) January 16, 2022
RELATED: Nickelodeon Releases Slime Cannons for 49ers/Cowboys Wild Card Game
The Week 4 game between the Falcons and Jaguars is streaming as “Toy Story Funday Football” on Disney+ and the main stream is available via ESPN+.
Kyle Ireland is an NFL Insider sports and local producer for KSLSports.com. He is also a co-host of the show Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on X/Twitter (@kyleireland), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl) and discussion threads (@kyleirelandksl).
