Samuel L. Jackson will lend a boost to Sunday night’s Chiefs-Falcons match-up on NBC. The actor, known for roles in movies such as “Pulp Fiction,” “Patriot Games” and “Glass,” will star in what NBC Sports bills as a “cinematic opening sequence” for tonight’s “Sunday Night Football” broadcast, which can be seen on both NBC and the Peacock streaming service.
Jackson is among the stars of “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,” a new original limited series streaming on Peacock. The program is executive produced by Will Packer and Kevin Hart, and stars Jackson, Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle and Terrence Howard.
The series is based on a true-crime podcast distributed by iHeart, and follows the story of how an armed robbery on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight helped transform the economy and culture of Atlanta, Georgia. Hart plays a hustler known as “Chicken Man” hosts an afterparty to celebrate the fight with a top-shelf guest list of the country’s wealthiest. But the night ends with a brazen heist. Suspected of masterminding the crime, Chicken Man works to clearing his name, even though he must convince his old adversary, J.D. Hudson (played by Cheadle), one of the first Black detectives in the city’s desegregated police force, who is assigned to find the culprit.
The first three episodes of “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” premiered on September 5, 2024, and a new episode premieres weekly on Thursdays on Peacock.
Jackson sold popcorn, peanuts and drinks at the Falcons’ first home stadium — Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium — in the 1960s. In the opening, he discusses his fandom, and offers some thoughts on the game ahead. While promoting his new Atlanta-based show, Samuel L. Jackson is supporting the Falcons on their home turf. The honorary Oscar winner appears in a cinematic opening sequence this weekend for Sunday Night Football, airing 7pm ET on NBC on Peacock, as the home team faces off against defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs.
“The challenges come at you fast and they come at you furious… never more so when their names are Kelce and Mahomes,” he says in the opening.
Jackson continues, “It’s about fighting with everything you’ve got to survive… and taking advantage of nights that can get everyone talking about you differently… nights like this where you play hard, hit hard, and rise up!”
During the segment, Jackson also recalls selling concessions at the Falcons’ former Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium home in the ’60s. He studied dramatic arts at Atlanta’s Morehouse College before breaking out as an actor. Jackson and Fight Night executive producer Will Packer are also set to attend Sunday’s game.
Based on the acclaimed iHeart true-crime podcast, Fight Night follows the infamous story of how an armed robbery on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life but ultimately transformed Atlanta into the ‘Black Mecca’. Fight Night also stars Kevin Hart (also an EP), Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle and Terrence Howard. New episodes are available Thursdays on Peacock.
Jackson Stars in Peacock’s Original Limited Series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist – First Five Episodes Now Available on Peacock with New Episodes Dropping Thursdays
STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 22, 2024 – Samuel L. Jackson, an Academy Award honoree for lifetime achievement, stars in the cinematic opening sequence for tonight’s Kansas City Chiefs-Atlanta Falcons Sunday Night Football game on NBC and Peacock (coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET).
Jackson, who is starring in Peacock’s original limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (full details below), sold popcorn, peanuts and drinks at the Falcons’ first home stadium (Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium) in the 1960s. Both Jackson and Will Packer, executive producer of Fight Night, will be in attendance at tonight’s game.
In tonight’s opening, Jackson discusses his fandom, closing with a look at the matchup:
“The challenges come at you fast and they come at you furious…never more so when their names are Kelce and Mahomes.”
“It’s about fighting with everything you’ve got to survive…and taking advantage of nights that can get everyone talking about you differently…nights like this where you play hard, hit hard, and RISE UP!”
To watch tonight’s cinematic opening sequence, click here.
Peacock’s original limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist is executive produced by Will Packer and stars an A-list cast including Kevin Hart (who also executive produces), Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle and Terrence Howard.
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, based on the acclaimed iHeart true-crime podcast, follows the infamous story of how an armed robbery on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life but ultimately transformed Atlanta into the “Black Mecca.” When a hustler named Chicken Man (Kevin Hart) hosts an afterparty to celebrate the fight with a guest list of the country’s wealthiest, the night ends with the most brazen criminal underworld heist in Atlanta’s history. Suspected of masterminding the crime, Chicken Man is hellbent on clearing his name but must convince his old adversary, J.D. Hudson (Don Cheadle), one of the first Black detectives in the city’s desegregated police force, who is tasked with bringing those responsible to justice.
The first three episodes of Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist premiered on September 5, 2024, and a new episode premieres weekly on Thursdays only on Peacock.
