Super Bowl Commercials 2012: NFL's 'Evolution' Player Safety Ad

The NFL kept its "Evolution" commercial, which focused on player safety, under wraps until it was aired during the Super Bowl. We were only privy to a handful of details, but said details seemed to indicate that the league would convey a rather ... not-completely-honest message. My concerns were laid out in detail here, but generally speaking, I was concerned that the League would cast the false impression that player safety was always the No. 1 priority.

It seems clear to me that it has not been. The ad does, at least, acknowledge that there is much more left to be done in the department of player safety -- in particular, of course, the prevention and mitigation of concussion-related dangers. The ad is well-produced to boot, and even incorporates a shot from the Super Bowl's opening kickoff that occurred two hours prior.

It's fine, I guess. Just don't get the impression that player safety has always come first on the NFL's list of priorities.

Need more? Check out our full list of Super Bowl 2012 ads and all of our Super Bowl XLVI coverage.