Jeep pauses Springsteen ad after DWI arrest

Springsteen was arrested in November 2020

Jeep is pausing its Super Bowl ad with Bruce Springsteen after news of his November 2020 arrest surfaced Wednesday (Feb 10th). The two minute ad, which was filmed in locations across the middle of the lower contiguous 48 United States, asked for fans to reunite and meet “in the middle.” It has been pulled from YouTube as of late Wednesday.

“It would be inappropriate for us to comment on the details of a matter we have only read about and we cannot substantiate,” a Jeep spokeswoman tells CNBC. “But it’s also right that we pause our Big Game commercial until the actual facts can be established. Its message of community and unity is as relevant as ever. As is the message that drinking and driving can never be condoned.”

The brand had been trying to partner with Springsteen for decades. He used his own team to produce the spot which is called The Middle.

The Boss was charged with DWI, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area while at Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook, NJ on November 14th. However, the news is just coming to light, although no reason has been given why it’s taken three months to surface.

The New York Post says the 71 year old singer/songwriter was stopped by police after they witnessed him take a shot of tequila offered by fans who spotted him riding his bike through the area.

“Bruce stopped, took the pictures, then a fan offered him a shot of liquor, which he took, while sitting on his bike, which was stationary,” the source tells the NY Post. “Park Police saw what happened and they immediately pulled Springsteen over as he drove away.”

The Asbury Press questions Springsteen’s arrest as his alcohol level was .02, a quarter of the .08 New Jersey legal level. He is slated to appear virtually in federal court in the coming weeks, and has no prior documented incidents in the state.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com