Terry Crews calls Justin Jefferson a "superstar" football player AND actor

Terry Crews is one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. Be that as it may Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Everyone hates Chris (personal favorite), White Chicksthat is, his current role as host of America’s Got Talentyou’d be hard-pressed not to find Crews on your TV screen—or in a movie theater.

Ahead of the 2026 NFL playoffs, Crews has teamed up with General Mills and NFL Superstar Justin Jefferson for their new one “It tastes like a touchdown” campaign.

According to a press release, the campaign highlights a “Spend $30, Get $10” deal on a variety of game day snacks and meals – perfect no matter which team you root for.

In the campaign’s flagship ad, Jefferson revs up alongside actor and former NFL player Crews as they share their favorite ways to score big savings on brands like Pillsbury, Chek Mix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Old El Paso. What starts as a typical grocery store quickly transforms into a full game day experience, with Crews channeling his inner coach and Jefferson bringing his signature playmaking flair.

In an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints’ Rob Lepelstat, Crews discusses the Tastes Like a Touchdown campaign, Jefferson’s acting chops, the Griddyhow the NFL has evolved since his playing days, the lasting impact of Everybody Hates Chris and more.

Interestingly, Crews also praises today’s NFL players, calling them better — both physically and mentally — than when he played. This bucks the popular trend of former players trashing today’s stars — including Tom Brady’s GOAT, who says there are plenty of “mediocre” in today’s NFL in relation to whom he played.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

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RL: Terry, you’re teaming up with General Mills for their new ‘Tastes Like a Touchdown’ campaign alongside Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. What is this campaign about?

TC: “First of all, it’s been so much fun. Being a part of this campaign with Justin — especially since it’s going to be so prominent during the (NFL) playoffs — it’s been amazing. It’s really about everyone coming together and having fun and watching the game.

When you look at the NFL now, the playoffs are more valuable than ever. There’s no team that’s going to run away with it this year, which means the stakes are higher—the mood, attention, and emotions of entire cities rise or fall depending on how their team performs.

As a former player, I’ll be honest — I’m in a midlife crisis and this is feeding me. I need this! I can’t play on the field anymore, but to be a part of something like this is just as good.”

What was it like working with Justin? We know he can play on the football field, but what about the actor? How did it go?

“Oh my God – he’s a star, man. He’s a star. I actually said that the other day when I was on Good Sports with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson: Justin Jefferson is a superstar.

You look at Griddy and the energy that came with him – he created it. But besides that, with this campaign, people are forgetting something important: all the acting skills I have now, I learned in the NFL, in the locker room. You know what I mean?

Justin is that guy. He’s funny, likable, a little crazy, energetic and just a joy to be around. That’s exactly how it was on the set. We spent a lot of time talking about the differences between the NFL when I played and where it is now, and I have to say—listening to these guys, I used to think it was as good as it got. But now they are better. They are better athletically, they are better mentally and they can handle a lot more. They really understand what this is.

When we played, there were more wide eyes. But I look at how down-to-earth Justin is and how well he handled everything, and it was so much fun being on set with him.

And then there were all those amazing General Mills characters – I was honestly amazed. Buzz, Honey Nut Cheerios Bee, Doughboi, Lucky from Lucky Charms—these are the characters I grew up with. I felt like I was in a theme park. We had an absolute blast.”

Did he even teach you Gridia?

“First of all, I don’t want to steal it. If he started shooting, I’d be like, ‘Hey, hey—wait,’ you know what I mean? (laughs). Griddy’s his! So when I saw Doughboy doing it in the commercial, I was like, this is so legit.

I’ve seen the final cut, and it’s just iconic to watch him do his thing. This man is amazing. He is a player with big things ahead of him. As I’ve said before, today’s NFL players are much more attuned to what’s happening now and what’s coming — and he’s a star, all the way.

You mentioned your time in the NFL, playing for five different teams over seven years. How would you chase a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes if you were playing today?

“These athletes are so much better now. They know more and do more. One thing that’s really blown me away is how much the game has changed around recovery. When I played, it wasn’t about recovery at all – you just hit the ground running until you couldn’t anymore.

These guys understand that it really is about giving back. It’s about vacation. We used to do three hard exercises a day. He told me, ‘We don’t even hit during the week.’

I thought, what? It totally blew my mind. I had no idea they didn’t. And when you think about preserving your body for an 18-game season – I played in a 16-game season – it all makes sense.

We’ve talked about it all, and I have nothing but love for these guys. Because the play-offs are so important and part of a campaign like this, it makes everything feel even more important because you know all eyes will be on him.”

You talked about how football wasn’t really the ultimate goal for you. So many athletes, their dream is to play in the NFL. But for you, how was football a springboard to everything you wanted to achieve?

“You learn how to deal with rejection. Being on five teams in seven years is the same thing as an audition. When you get cut, you have to dust yourself off and keep the same energy you had before – that’s exactly what I took with me to Hollywood.”

Every time I cut myself, I came back. Every time I didn’t get the part, I went back. You begin to realize that the real game is resilience. If you’re resilient, you can do anything—as long as you keep coming back.

‘No’ is negotiable. Today it may be no, but tomorrow it may be yes.”

As I mentioned before, my personal favorite role is Everybody Hates Chris, your character is Julius. He was, of course, known for being very cheap, not spending a lot of money (both laugh). Is there a bit of Julius in the real life Terry Crews?

“There’s a LOT of Julius in my real life. One thing Julius loved was coupons — and that’s definitely me. I’m a rewards point guy, a deal guy. This whole campaign is ‘spend $30, get $10 back,’ and honestly, that’s something Julius would absolutely say.”

I’m a big shopper. I like to go to the store – find savings, look at everything on the shelves. I used to do it with my mother when I was a kid. Every two weeks, my father would get paid on Friday, and that night I would go shopping with my mother. The same brands I represent now are the ones I used to put in my cart back then.

When I think about Julius, it’s the same way of thinking. He was always looking for a deal. I helped my mother clip coupons every Friday afternoon after school, and then we would go shopping that evening. That’s the American way.

It represents a large part of my history. I am 57 years old and I have been doing this since childhood. When you think about how long these brands, these savings, and these coupons have been a part of American life – it really puts everything into perspective.

You played so many different characters, different roles. When fans come up to you today, who is it that they STILL mention, that they still talk about?

“It really depends on where I’m at. If I’m at a football game, it’s usually like that.” The Expendables and action movie stuff. He is in the church Everyone hates Chris. If I’m at the mall or shopping, it is White Chicks. In a comedy club, it is Brooklyn Nine-Nine. When I’m around kids, it is America has talent. Wherever I am, it changes based on what the fans connect with.

“I love that I’ve been able to be all things to all people. To influence different cultures, ages – even gender – it’s a blessing, man. Every year the girls turn 13 and discover White Chicksand it’s hilarious. I have kids and grown women come up to me like, ‘Oh my God…White Chicks!’

“It’s such a fun place to be, and I’m just honored.” Everyone hates Chrisbeing a dad figure to so many people around the world — that still means something. The show is still loved. In some places, it’s still the number one show today.”