Boxing legend Mike Tyson made headlines during Super Bowl LX, starring in a 30-second advertisement encouraging Americans to focus on whole, unprocessed foods.
The ad, sponsored by the nonprofit MAHA Center, aligns with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s initiative to promote healthier diets nationwide.
In the commercial, Tyson recounts deeply personal struggles with weight and processed foods.
“I was so fat and nasty, I would eat anything,” he said. “I was like 345 pounds. I would eat a quart of ice cream every hour. I had so much self-hate when I was like that, I just wanted to kill myself.”
He also honored his late sister Denise, who died of a heart attack at 25, attributing her death to obesity
The ad directs viewers to RealFood.gov, where federal dietary guidelines under the MAHA program are outlined.
Tyson closed the spot eating an apple alongside his son, providing a stark visual contrast with the processed snacks and sugary beverages promoted in other Super Bowl commercials.
MAHA Center founder Tony Lyons emphasized that the campaign was designed to rival major consumer brands in reach and impact.
The nonprofit funded the placement with donations from supporters of Kennedy’s health initiative.
The campaign also includes digital advertising and taxicab displays across major U.S. and Canadian cities, using hashtags such as #BiteLikeMike and #ProcessedFoodKills to amplify its message, according to Boxing Insider.
Originally launched under the Trump administration, the MAHA initiative has steadily expanded its public health agenda.
The program has updated dietary guidelines, advocated for SNAP benefit reforms to favor whole foods, promoted improvements to school lunches, and even proposed changes to military food procurement, reflecting a broader push to reduce obesity and diet-related health issues nationwide.
Experts say the ad’s blunt messaging on obesity and ultraprocessed foods is both striking and controversial.
Obesity medicine specialist Dr. Holly F. Lofton told ABC News that the spot effectively highlights the dangers of excessive processed food consumption, linking it to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
She cautioned, however, that addressing weight and nutrition requires sensitivity and personalized guidance.
“You never know where anyone is in their weight journey,” she said. “Discussion with healthcare providers is key to sustainable results.”
The campaign comes amid growing concern over ultraprocessed foods, which account for roughly 70 percent of the U.S. food supply.
While advocates emphasize the importance of dietary change, critics note that accessibility, affordability, and convenience make it difficult for many Americans to avoid processed options entirely.
Tyson’s participation highlights his ongoing focus on health and recovery.
He has publicly discussed weight fluctuations exceeding 300 pounds and his adoption of healthier habits during exhibition bouts against Roy Jones Jr. and Jake Paul.
He has also promoted a vegan diet and launched a plant-based ice cream brand in 2025, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to nutrition.
The ad aligns with recent government initiatives, including Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ rollout of the revised dietary pyramid at the White House, which encourages limiting highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.
Tyson’s personal story, combined with the campaign’s broader public health message, seeks to encourage Americans to make tangible changes in daily eating habits.
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