Morgan State Football Player In Super Bowl Commercial
Former Bear Stars As "Terry Tate"
In Rebook Ad
January 29, 2003
When he played football for the Morgan State University Bears
from 1982-85 he was Lester Speight, an aggressive 6-4 215 pound
linebacker from Crownsville, MD. He was a big hit as a Bear,
and he's still a big hit. Speight now calls himself Mighty Rasta,
and he was the star of a Reebok commercial that drew rave reviews
when it debuted during the Super Bowl last Sunday.
Rasta plays an office enforcer who lays heavy hits on employees
who violate company rules. Not filling the coffee pot, or making
personal long distance calls will result in the offender having
to taste the rage of the Might Rasta. Rasta is the star of what
many reviewers have called the best commercial of the Super
Bowl. He plays the role with lots of the same fire and energy
he displayed while playing football for the Blue & Orange
in 80's.
Rasta, then known as Lester Speight, was one of the more physical
and athletically gifted players on the Bear's roster. His athletic
gifts made him extremely valuable, as he also played defensive
line, offensive line, and wide receiver while at Morgan State
University. While at Morgan, Speight was always a personable
and outgoing young man. He displayed many of the traits that
are serving him well in his role as Terry Tate.
Since leaving Morgan, life has taken Speight in many directions.
He's put on almost 100 pounds of pure muscle since his Morgan
playing days, and now tips the scales at a muscular 315 pounds.
He signed to play football professionally with the Baltimore
Stars of the USFL, however the league folded before he could
play a game.
Speight's acting resume includes parts in "NYPD Blue",
and the feature film "Any Given Sunday". He also has
parts in movies with Jet Li and Jamie Kennedy.
Reebok plans to release three more "Terry Tate"
shorts at www.terrytate.reebok.com.
And the commercials success could lead to an elevated profile
for a young man who wasn't shy about being in the spotlight
when he was an undergraduate at Morgan State University.
