It’s not uncommon for an actor become synonymous with the characters they play, but it’s hard to think of one such case where that’s stronger than with Cristo Fernandez and Dani Rojas. From the moment he ran onto the screen in 2020’s “Two Aces” episode of Ted Lasso, fans of the Apple TV+ series fell in love.
Fernandez is a native of Guadalajara, Mexico and a former professional soccer player that had to give up the sport when he suffered a couple injuries. He had no information on the maybe surprise fourth season of Ted Lasso — which reportedly could be set for filming in January — but would jump at the chance to play the jovial goal scorer once more.
“I think Ted Lasso is something bigger than all of us, whether it’s Dani Rojas, Roy Kent, or Ted Lasso himself,” Fernandez told For The Win in a recent interview. “I think it is what it is, and I’m so proud and grateful and to see people’s reactions, but more than a fan just how much it has meant to everyone.”
Being able to step back on the pitch as Rojas is what made his recent State Farm collaboration so attractive. In the ad, Fernandez plays his iconic character opposite the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Jake From State Farm. Instead of “football is life,” the tagline “bundle is life” is used, meshing — literally — the two kinds of footballs.
Fernandez was able to collaborate with Mahomes, with the future Hall-of Fame quarterback being described as “a very nice guy” that did well improvising lines. When asked which NFL player would make the best crossover guest for a potential future Ted Lasso guest star, Fernandez stuck with his commercial co-star.
“I will definitely pitch Patrick Mahomes because I met him, and he’s a nice guy,” he explained. “There was always a no a-hole policy [at Ted Lasso], and everyone’s kind, so he’s already in.”
