Tyler Stephenson said he’s never met Will Ferrell.
But when NASCAR came calling on the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves, it didn’t take the Reds catcher long to channel the star of some of his favorite movies.
Advertisement
“I was just like, ‘Talladega Nights.’ I have to have it,” said Stephenson, who quickly reached out to his equipment company to see if it could be done. “And they loved the idea. It’s an unbelievable movie, so…”
Tyler Stephenson took the fact the Reds will wear NASCAR themed uniforms when they play the Atlanta Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway a step further, having catching gear designed to salute the movie ‘Talladega Nights.’
Consider that the ballad of “Tyler Robby” – the name Stephenson had inscribed on his movie-themed chest protector for the Speedway Classic on Aug. 2, when the Reds play the Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway before what’s likely to be a Reds franchise-record crowd.
The Reds already will wear NASCAR-inspired font for the numbers on their uniforms for the game. But their catcher will stand out with the full Ricky Bobby on his gear from cleats to helmet.
Advertisement
That includes Ferrell character’s line, “If you ain’t first, you’re last” on the back of the chest protector strap.
Three years ago, when the Reds met the Cubs in Iowa for the Field of Dreams game, Stephenson had themed gear for that game, too.
But channeling Ferrell – whose “Anchorman” version of “Afternoon Delight” is his walkup music – is next-level stuff.
“It’s going to be great. I’m pumped,” Stephenson said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why Cincinnati Reds Tyler Stephenson went full Ricky Bobby for Bristol