Aflac Warns Carl Edwards
Sporting News Wire Service

Aflac loves Carl Edwards and is paying big money to pair him with its
iconic duck in commercials and on the hood of his car, but the
company would like to not see its driver scuffling with other drivers
in the NASCAR Sprint Cup garage area.

Aflac vice president Al Johnson, speaking at the Street & Smith's
Motorsports Marketing Forum on Tuesday, talked about the line drivers
have with their sponsors in showing their emotions.

"Obviously, we're very protective of our brand," said Johnson, who
oversees all advertising for the company. "We certainly don't want
garage scuffles going on or things to happen ... whether it's a
celebrity that's in one of our commercials on down to a sports star.

"But we do want people to be true to themselves."

Johnson said he believes his company has found the right person in
Edwards and doesn't want the Roush Fenway Racing driver to hide his
passion. Aflac just doesn't want it go overboard as it did in the
Lowe's Motor Speedway garage area in October when Edwards and Kevin
Harvick got in a brief shoving match.

"We want someone like Carl Edwards, who has certain beliefs, sticks
by them and stands up for them because that's the way we are as a
brand as well," he said.