Rams Celebrate 2026 NFL Draft with 'Friday' Parody Short Film

The team's new video features sons of original stars and cameos from current players.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:34am

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A striking, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged black silhouettes against a high-contrast red and white background, conceptually representing the characters and themes of the Rams' 'Friday' parody short film.The Rams' playful homage to the classic 'Friday' film taps into nostalgia and showcases the next generation of stars.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Rams have released a short film titled 'Thursday' as part of their 2026 NFL Draft rollout, paying homage to the 1995 comedy 'Friday.' The film features Ice Cube's son O'Shea Jackson Jr. and Chris Tucker's son Destin Tucker in the lead roles, with Terry Crews making a cameo as a parody of the character Deebo. The video also includes appearances from current Rams players Jared Verse, Byron Young, and Kevin Dotson.

Why it matters

The Rams' creative marketing approach for the upcoming draft aims to engage fans and generate excitement around the team's selections. By tapping into the nostalgia of the classic 'Friday' film, the Rams are connecting with a wider audience and showcasing their players in a unique and entertaining way.

The details

In the short film 'Thursday,' the Rams recreate several iconic scenes from 'Friday,' including the 'What chain?' moment and the famous 'damn' line. The video also features cameos from West Coast rapper YG as Stanley and current Rams guard Kevin Dotson as 'Big K-Dot,' a nod to the original movie's Big Worm character.

  • The Rams released the 'Thursday' short film on Friday, April 18, 2026.

The players

O'Shea Jackson Jr.

The son of Ice Cube, who played Craig in the original 'Friday' film.

Destin Tucker

The son of Chris Tucker, who played Smokey in the original 'Friday' film.

Terry Crews

An actor who was drafted by the Rams in 1991 and makes a cameo in the short film as a parody of the character Deebo.

Jared Verse

A current Rams linebacker who appears in the short film.

Byron Young

A current Rams linebacker who appears in the short film.

Kevin Dotson

A current Rams guard who appears in the short film as 'Big K-Dot,' a nod to the original movie's Big Worm character.

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What they’re saying

“Playing with these picks is like playing with my emotions.”

— Kevin Dotson, Rams guard

What’s next

The Rams are expected to continue their creative marketing campaign leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially releasing more short films or other content that pays homage to popular culture.

The takeaway

The Rams' 'Thursday' short film is a clever and nostalgic way to generate excitement around the upcoming NFL Draft. By tapping into the legacy of 'Friday' and featuring the sons of the original stars, the team is connecting with a wider audience and showcasing their players in a unique and entertaining way.