Not long after the release of NBA 2K22, basketball fans immersed themselves in the world, looking for any tips, secrets, or easter eggs that may appear in the game.
And while many fans are pleased with how things turned out this time, that’s not to say there aren’t some rather bizarre aspects of the game.
In past installments, 2K was never shy about their ad space, often dedicating entire sections of their game to specific brands and sponsors.
This year is no different.
As fans were playing through the revamped MyCareer mode, they found themselves face-to-face with “Jake,” the loveable but rather insignificant mascot for State Farm insurance, which you might recognize as the same company behind the famous “Cliff Paul” commercials.
It’s a weird and over-the-top encounter for sure, and while some fans enjoyed the cameo, others were quick to point out how cringe-inducing it can be.
https://twitter.com/capybaroness/status/1436475796357582876
He couldn't believe he found Jake from State Farm in NBA 2K22 😂 @BRGaming
(via youngkeasy/IG) https://t.co/m3Er1KFnCA
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 10, 2021
Sure they got jake from state farm in NBA 2K22 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Nu9bMdVmZU
— Miles Taylor (@milestv_3) September 10, 2021
Niggas paying $60 to have NPC dialogue wit Jake from State Farm https://t.co/wqZlMzd44Z
— Healthy chronicles Vol. 4 (@bighealthyfr) September 11, 2021
happy to confirm that jake from state farm will also be coming to ghost of tsushima, please stay tuned https://t.co/CX4tjIde74
— Andrew Goldfarb (@garfep) September 12, 2021
Thinking about that jake from state farm clip and how disgusting sports games are
— Uni (Also Iunia) -Whole (@A_Uni_Whatever) September 12, 2021
Imagine tryna relax and play a game and Jake from State Farm pops up like “aye bro your car insurance past due” https://t.co/nIWL9zncct
— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) September 11, 2021
The worst part is where State Farm is acting like that's been Jake this whole time and that it was never this dude. What kind of Mandela Effect bullshit is State Farm trying to pull? pic.twitter.com/3AsAFkRXpa
— Shug Knight (@Shugrug) September 11, 2021
Pizza Hut in Crazy Tazi walked so Jake from State Farm in 2K could run. pic.twitter.com/0Snfmb8VdQ
— DazeAhead❔ (@KendrickLaMario) September 12, 2021
They really got jake from State Farm in 2k lol pic.twitter.com/o1raXZzXeO
— Mo Gretsky (@Motown410) September 10, 2021
Like a good neighbor, Jake from State Farm is there in NBA 2k22. pic.twitter.com/UVvj8ZtKcb
— Erin Ashley Simon (@erinasimon) September 11, 2021
Apparently, players can also dress their MyPlayer like Jake.
(via IGN)
As Jake from State Farm says in the encounter, you can also dress like Jake from State Farm after meeting up with the character. Capybaroness, who was among the first to spot Jake from State Farm in NBA 2K22, also posted an image of the clothing, or “drip,” as Jake from State Farm says.
The actor who plays Jake from State Farm, Kevin Miles, reacted to his appearance in NBA 2K22 on social media, retweeting a story about it. Jake from State Farm is one of the most recognizable salespeople in recent years; if you watch TV or online videos, you’ve no doubt seen Jake from State Farm many times.
All-in-all, it’s a pretty funny gag that brought a smile to a whole lot of faces.
But it’s not exactly a very subtle cash-grab by 2K, who have literally gone out of their way to shove State Farm into their game.
Whatever the case, that’s just how sports gaming is nowadays.
