NFLPA, Whalerock Launch “Any Given Emoji,” The Ultimate Emoji Keyboard For Football Fans
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 1, 2016 – For the first time, fans will have their favorite NFL players at their fingertips as the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), in partnership with Whalerock Industries, today announced the release of a customized emoji keyboard called Any Given Emoji. Just in time for football season, fans can celebrate top players, the biggest plays and animate their trash-talk with fantasy football rivals by using NFL player emoji and GIFs. Any Given Emoji is available in both iOS and Android app stores.
NFL stars including Dez Bryant, Tom Brady, Amari Cooper, Julian Edelman, Ezekiel Elliott, Devonta Freeman, A.J. Green, Andrew Luck, and Sammy Watkins are among the first 175 players to have their own emoji. Whalerock and the NFLPA will release additional player emoji, GIFs and animated stickers throughout the season.
“It’s cool to have my own emoji. This keyboard is a huge benefit to the fans, having so many player emojis all in one place. Fans can communicate and express themselves in a new way, thanks to the NFLPA. Any Given Emoji will make fantasy football even more fun.” said Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy.
Any Given Emoji was created in partnership with Whalerock, the media and technology company behind the popular KIMOJI app, and via the NFLPA’s marketing and licensing arm NFL Players Inc. Fans are encouraged to share the colorful life-like emoji across social media and messaging apps. Any Given Emoji may also be downloaded as the default emoji keyboard on mobile devices. The app can be downloaded here for iOS and here for Android.
“If you love the NFL and its players, this is a fantasy come true,” said Jared Heinke, Head of Digital at Whalerock Industries. “Nothing drives social conversation quite like the NFL and its world-class players — Whalerock is thrilled to partner with the NFLPA to make Fall come even more alive with Any Given Emoji.”
Once downloaded, NFL player emojis will be available in packs and sorted by position and fantasy rankings, with each design a realistic depiction of the player’s facial features. The keyboard can be customized to feature a fan’s favorite players including their Fantasy team lineup. The keyboard also includes a menu of fantasy-themed word bubbles and hashtags, such as “#1Pick,” “Sleeper Pick,” “Waiver Wire,” “You’re Cooked” and “#Winning” among other lighthearted expressions.
“Fans are more connected to their favorite players than ever, thanks in large part to the twin phenomena of social media and fantasy football,” said Steven Scebelo, NFLPA VP Licensing and Business Development. “Whalerock’s NFLPA Any Given Emoji keyboard allows fans to now communicate about their favorite players with passion, humor and personality, in the unique shorthand they desire. Fantasy football just got more fun!”
The app is the latest effort by the NFLPA to grow its digital technology business and offer fans new ways to connect with players.
About the NFL Players Association
The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players, and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through 2020.
About NFL Players Inc.
NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, connects businesses to the power of NFL players. NFL Players Inc. creates customized business solutions for partners, through licensing, marketing strategy and player activations. For more information, please visit nflpa.com/players.
About Whalerock Industries
Whalerock Industries is a media and technology company based in West Hollywood, California.
