NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee State graduate Mike Jackson cleans up pretty well.
So well in fact, that he was selected to replace the iconic cartoon character Mr. Clean. The folks at Procter & Gamble decided that after 59 years on the job the powerful-looking Mr. Clean, with his white pants, skin-tight T-shirt and single golden earring needed some time off.
So they held a contest to find a fill-in, and Jackson, who graduated from TSU in 2003, was selected from hundreds who submitted audition videos to fill Mr. Clean’s white shoes.
Jackson made his debut this week during the activities surrounding Super Bowl LI in Houston.
“I’m a big football fan so being at the Super Bowl is pretty incredible,” said Jackson, who spent the week on radio row in his Mr. Clean garb doing interviews for the product. “I was really excited when I heard that would be my first duty as Mr. Clean. I can’t wait to see what else they have in store for me the rest of the year.”
A 30-second Mr. Clean commercial aired during the Super Bowl. It was the first time the product has had a Super Bowl spot.
Jackson played high school football in Atlanta and attended every TSU home game while he was there, which included an undefeated regular season his freshman year.
“It was great following TSU because we had really good teams,” said Jackson, who majored in marketing and now works in sports marketing.
Jackson was joined on radio row throughout the week by Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who was tabbed the “black Mr. Clean” last year when he appeared on “The Tonight Show” because of his clean-cut appearance after the Super Bowl.
Ware has been associated with Procter & Gamble in the past.
Not only is Jackson muscle-bound with a slick bald head, much like the original Mr. Clean, but he also offers diversity to the brand.
Jackson also is featured in a limited edition Mr. Clean calendar.
