Going into Week 4 of the 2022 NFL season, there was a lot of buzz about how Russell Wilson had performed in his first three games with the Broncos.
Denver had averaged just 14.3 points per game in its first three contests. That offensive output was frustrating Broncos fans, and so was the middling performance of Wilson. He was starting to take heat for that, but soon, something else pushed him into the national spotlight.
Something … spicy.
A Subway ad that Wilson had created on TikTok in May of 2022 started to make the rounds on social media. That brought his Subway sandwich — the “Dangerwich” — back to the forefront of people’s minds.
It also served as a reminder that Wilson is an expert in corny and cringe humor.
So, what is the Russell Wilson Subway commercial, and what exactly is the Dangerwich? Here’s what to know about Wilson’s sandwich and the Internet’s reaction to his resurfaced ad.
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Russell Wilson Subway commercial
Wilson’s commercial for the “Dangerwich” — a Subway sandwich created by Wilson that features 12 different ingredients — made the rounds in late September ahead of Week 4.
The ad was originally posted in May of 2022. It was supposed to be a fourth-wall-breaking experience in which viewers felt like they were conversing with Wilson. Instead, many viewers found themselves uncomfortable or creeped out by his delivery of the lines.
Below is a look at the commercial, which many were able to capture before it was pulled from Twitter and TikTok:
Russell Wilson & Subway 🤣The original video was deleted from TikTok and Twitter pic.twitter.com/0sfQwb1ZnV
There was also an alternate Dangerwich spot featuring Wilson. It was equally as uncomfortable, though it didn’t gain as much traction as the primary ad.
Mom, Russell Wilson is doing that thing again pic.twitter.com/fAsjfYwBUT
Wilson’s ads garnered attention when they first came out, but the former went viral after it was brought to the attention of Twitter users following the Broncos’ 2-1 start to the season. Many on social media poked fun at the “serial killer” vibes that radiated from Wilson during the ad as well as his insistence that the sandwich is “spicy.”
Here are some of the best comments, reactions and memes to come out of Wilson’s commercial.
He delivers this entire monologue like a serial killer whose calmly talking to someone he tied to a chair with their mouth taped shut pic.twitter.com/AJtGI9RMGs
This is how Steve used to talk to me when I was watching Blue’s Clues but now that I’m older it’s totally a sociopathic vibe.
“Ever do something dangerous?” “Back in 2015 we were at the two yard line about to win the Super Bowl…”
We tried to make that Russell Wilson Subway video less creepy. pic.twitter.com/EDzC0990up
Let Russ cook! pic.twitter.com/4bSKaptcun
No exaggeration, this is one of the most fascinating videos I’ve ever seen on the internet. pic.twitter.com/HqJyMRZjAS
That Subway commercial sealed my decision to bench Russell Wilson in fantasy going forward.
please… we need to beat russell wilson… we cant let him get away with that subway dangerwich commercial…
The only plausible explanation for the Russell Wilson Subway commercial is that there’s actually a double agent behind it that really works for Quiznos
Think of how many views Russell Wilson’s Subway pitch has gotten today because of how it went viral. For Subway, mission accomplished.
The question many are asking, is this Russell Wilson Subway “commercial” bad? Or is is satire so bad it’s good? https://t.co/W0mxxkd1FX
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What are the Dangerwich ingredients?
According to The Fast Food Post, the Dangerwich is served on Subway’s Italian Herbs and Cheese bread. It is then topped with the following:
- Pepperoni
- Salami
- Black forest ham
- Provolone cheese
- Bacon
- Lettuce
- Green peppers
- Tomatoes
- Banana peppers
- Yellow mustard
- Mayo
Doesn’t sound too bad. Of course, it still caught flak from some on the Internet who couldn’t fathom why Wilson warned that the sandwich would be “spicy,” as its spiciest ingredients are banana peppers.
For those wondering, a banana pepper typically comes with up to 500 Scoville units, which are used to measure the spiciness of a pepper. Comparatively, a jalapeño boasts 2,500-8,000 Scoville units, per AllRecipes.com, so banana peppers are relatively mild, as the site explains.
To call [banana] peppers “spicy” would be a stretch, as their flavor sensation is more of a subtle tang.
And here is a list of other notable peppers by their Scoville units offered, per PepperJoe.com:
Pepper Scoville units Bell 0 – 100 Sweet banana 0 – 100 Pepperoncini 100 – 1,000 Jalapeño 2,500 – 5,000 Serano 5,000 – 15,000 Cayenne 30,000 – 50,000 Habanero 100,000 – 350,000 Ghost 855,000 – 1,463,000
So, “spicy” may not be the best word to describe the Dangerwich. But hey, you won’t know until you try it.
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When can I get the Dangerwich at Subway?
The Dangerwich isn’t currently available to be purchased at Subway. The company has a rotating series of sandwiches that are featured in its exclusive online menu which can be accessed on the Subway app or Subway.com. However, they rotate through them and the Dangerwich is currently unavailable.
As of Tuesday, Oct. 4, Subway had not yet authorized its franchises to begin making the Dangerwich, according to multiple restaurant workers.
But with the ad now going viral, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Subway add it to its menus once again.
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Which other famous athletes have Subway sandwiches?
As many have seen in recent commercials, Subway has put together a star-studded lineup of athlete endorsers. Notably, Simone Biles and Stephen Curry have starred in ads together while Rob Gronkowski, Charles Barkley and Tony Romo have been added to more recent TV spots.
Several athletes currently have specific Subway menu items, which are available for order at select locations. They are as follows:
- Charles Barkley: The Frontcourt Feast
- Derek Jeter: The Grand Salami
- Kevin Harvick: The Full Throttle Ham
- Jimmy Garoppolo: The Benissimo
- Marshawn Lynch: The Beef Mode
- Simone Biles: The Vaultwich
- Stephen Curry: The Meatball Marksman
- Tony Romo: The Redzone Roast
- Tony Hawk: The Turkey Vert
- Rob Gronkowski: The Avocado Spike Bowl
Subway has created menu items for the likes of Trevor Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux during this promotion as well. It’s likely the company will continue to do that if this promotion proves to be successful.