NFL asks Feingold campaign to remove unauthorized clip of Moss from latest ad

NFL flags Feingold’s latest ad for Moss clip

MILWAUKEE — The NFL is flagging Sen. Russ Feingold’s latest ad, asking the Democratic incumbent to pull unauthorized footage of Randy Moss pretending to moon the Green Bay crowd in 2004.

The TV ad, which the campaign said was released statewide Tuesday, opens with a series of clips of football players dancing in the end zone. A four-second clip shows Moss clearly wearing his Minnesota Vikings uniform. The others featured are not playing in NFL games.

“We did not license the footage and have contacted the senator’s campaign about removing it,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press in an e-mail.

The Feingold campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Polls show Feingold slightly trailing his opponent, political newcomer Ron Johnson of Oshkosh, with four weeks left before the general election.

Feingold says in the ad that football celebrations such as the ones shown are called “excessive celebration,” punishable by fines and 15-yard penalties.

“It’s exactly the kind of behavior the corporate special interests and Ron Johnson are engaging in,” he says.

He goes on to say his opponents are celebrating because they think they’ll take down a staunch enemy of Washington lobbyists.

“Fortunately the game isn’t over yet,” he says.

Sara Sendek, a spokeswoman for the Johnson campaign, said Feingold’s ad was a desperate attempt to shift the conversation away from his political record.

“It seems to me that Sen. Feingold is the only one worried about polls,” she said. “Ron is worried about the direction this country is heading.”

The NFL clip shows Moss pretending to moon the crowd after catching a touchdown pass in Green Bay. Then he dances briefly before accepting hugs from two teammates. The stunt drew a $10,000 fine.

Online:

Russ Feingold: www.russfeingold.org

Ron Johnson: www.ronjohnsonforsenate.com