On September 25th, 2018, Allen Iverson returned to his roots in Hampton and Bethel High School to film his new commercial the  Reebok Iverson Legacy for his latest tennis shoe which launched on November 1st.   Aside from BHS, Iverson picked other familiar locations throughout the Hampton Roads area that were special to him.  Some of those locations included the Boys and Girls Clubs on Shell Road in Hampton and Newport News.  Another childhood favorite was his hometown of Aberdeen where he began his athletic career playing youth sports such as baseball, football, and of course basketball.

The filming of the commercial at BHS was an administrative and staff effort.  Craig Brehon, Boys Varsity Basketball coach and Dean of Boys coach works closely with Allen Iverson’s manager, Gary D. Moore, and was able to get approval for Bethel to be used as a site in the commercial while athletic director Lee Martin gathered the sports teams and picked the specific location for filming.  Cheerleaders and student-athletes on the baseball, football, and basketball teams appear in the Reebok Iverson Legacy commercial.   Austin Smith, an 11th grader who plays tight and defensive end for the varsity football, shared his thoughts on the overall experience. “It was pretty cool, I mean it’s Allen Iverson.”

As a dual sports athlete in his junior year, Iverson led the Bethel Bruins to state championships in football and basketball. As BHS celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first graduating class this year, it is only fitting that Iverson’s new sneaker made its debut at the school where champions reign.

Photo Courtesy of Gary Land