What will a world without Larry Culpepper be like? College football fans react accordingly to Dr. Pepper’s beloved icon being relieved of his duties.
What’s a world without Larry Culpepper? Don’t know who Culpepper is? Well, you may not be paying close enough attention to those commercials during timeouts and halftime of college football games each fall, but he’s one of the most familiar brand ambassadors out there.
You may have seen him distributing Dr. Pepper in commercials as a football fanatic. A guy who took his vending job seriously, Culpepper was one of the most recognizable figures in commercials during football season, and leading up to it.
Unfortunately, Dr. Pepper has announced that it will not retain Culpepper, who is actually Jim Connor, moving forward, officially retiring the character.
BREAKING: Jim Connor, who spent the past several years playing football fanatic Larry Culpepper in Dr. Pepper commercials, has told me that the company will not feature Culpepper in commercials going forward. Connor says the decision “Rocked my world” and was “An incredible gig.” pic.twitter.com/an0DJBKO0w
— Adam Carriker (@AdamCarriker94) May 21, 2018
However, Culpepper was more than just a commercial figure for fans, but he brought comic relief during game breaks and made commercials fly by just that much faster.
As you could imagine, the college football world was shocked by this news and fans were quick to show their distaste regarding the decision.
RIP Larry Culpepper, my fondest memory will be watching media people run away from you in character at the national title game
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) May 21, 2018
Say it ain’t so Larry Culpepper. I mean, come on. The man invented the College Football Playoff. pic.twitter.com/occBGpRKOT
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) May 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/SDS/status/998659296115208192
Larry Culpepper, the badly dressed football fanatic in Dr Pepper commercials, is reportedly not returning this season. #Sad
— Marc A. Ross (@marcaross) May 22, 2018
Larry Culpepper was an American treasure. @drpepper needs to send him off with a bang. You can't just ship him off without a goofy farewell. He INVENTED the @CFBPlayoff #LarryCulpepper #collegefootball #cfb
— Logan horton 💸 (@LoganHorton7) May 22, 2018
Saddened to learn Larry Culpepper won't be prowling the sidelines this fall. Thanks Larry for all you have done for the game - especially your vision & foresight that led to the invention of the College Football Playoff. Moving forward the CFP should award the Culpepper trophy.
— Jack Williams (@205JackWilliams) May 22, 2018
Let's start a petition to bring back Larry culpepper. He is great and we need him.@drpepper
— Joe magro (@jmagro33) May 22, 2018
What sad news. College football has no meaning without Larry Culpepper. https://t.co/CiimyDeNh8
— Ryan Cole (@ryan_cole9) May 22, 2018
Wow @drpepper letting Larry Culpepper go!!?? I am 23 flavors worth of upset.
— Jason Cochcroft (@JCochcroft14) May 21, 2018
Congrats on your new loyal customer, Mr. Pibb
Larry Culpepper was a gentleman and a scholar and I can’t believe you plebeians didn’t support him
— Who Saw it Barn? (@undecidedbarner) May 21, 2018
RIP in peace, Larry Culpepper pic.twitter.com/OLjHPMkZJR
— Rush Roberts (@DrNorrisCamacho) May 21, 2018
Frankly I’m appalled by how many people are anti Larry Culpepper. This man invented the CFP that all of you love to watch. This man is a national treasure. #StopTheHate pic.twitter.com/En7DIqMRHj
— Oliver McLoed (@omcloed_) May 22, 2018
And then there were some who weren’t exactly sad about Culpepper’s retirement.
Thoroughly do not understand the universal sadness over Larry Culpepper's demise.
— Michael Castillo (@MichaelCastFS) May 22, 2018
It was never funny or endearing.
I'm okay with Dr. Pepper axing Larry Culpepper but so help me if they axe Lil Sweet we're gonna have a problem...
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/GeoffONeil/status/998647993782816768
Clearly there are some differing opinions on Culpepper, but the fact that people feel so strongly, one way or another about his departure from Dr. Pepper shows just how big his role was in the college football world — heck, he invented the College Football Playoff.
Next: Way-too-early 2019 NFL Mock Draft
Maybe Connor will pull a Paul Marcarelli (Verizon’s “can you hear me now?” guy) and switch brands. Keep an eye on Mr. Pibb as a favorite to land him.