The Los Angeles Rams dropped one of the most talked-about draft promos in recent NFL memory. On April 16, the team released a three-and-a-half-minute promotional film called Thursday, a direct homage to the 1995 cult classic Friday. It went viral.
Ice Cube‘s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr., and Chris Tucker‘s son, Destin Tucker, are the main characters in Thursday, as a tribute to their fathers’ roles. Jackson is a veteran actor who made his debut portraying his father in Straight Outta Compton, with other credits including Cocaine Bear, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Just Mercy. Both bear a striking resemblance to their dads, especially in this context.
The video was filmed at the same house from Friday in the West Athens community of Los Angeles, southeast of Inglewood near SoFi Stadium. The porch. The neighborhood. The whole look. It all tracks.
A Viral Tribute to Friday
In Thursday, the Rams pay homage to the original film by using the titular theme song by Ice Cube and reenacting several standout scenes. Terry Crews makes a cameo as a parody of the character Deebo, riding up on Jackson and Tucker on a beach cruiser bicycle similar to Deebo’s in the original movie. Crews, who was drafted No. 281 by the Rams in 1991, re-creates the iconic “What chain?” scene from Friday, where Deebo snatches the chain of Red. This time, it’s a Super Bowl ring.
West Coast rapper YG makes a cameo as Stanley, velvet robe and all. And Rams guard Kevin Dotson appears as “Big K-Dot,” a nod to Big Worm. All complete with a lowrider and hair rollers. “Playing with these picks is like playing with my emotions,” Dotson says, riffing on the character’s iconic line.
Near the end, Tucker delivers the line: “Man, this Thursday is going to make our whole season. And you know this, man!” Jackson Jr. then turns to the camera and adds, “Don’t sleep on Friday, though.”
Rams CMO Kathryn Kai-ling Frederick said in a statement, “This project is a celebration of Los Angeles — the city we call home — and its culture, creativity and global influence.” She added that Friday is “more than a movie; it’s a cultural touchstone,” and that by reimagining it through Thursday, the team is “creating something that truly represents LA.”
Within hours of its release, Thursday had already generated more than 1.6 million views on X and tens of thousands of interactions on Instagram.
The Rams will host a block party-style Draft celebration for fans April 23 to April 25 at Hollywood Park. There, fans can enjoy rides, games, and fun branded activations. The 2026 NFL Draft runs across those same three days.
