Jalen Ramsey, American Football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League, is the focus of a brand new episode of A Hero’s Journey, the new collaboration between Gucci and GQ Sports.

The new series will see the brand's chapter the lives of modern sporting icons, asking global stars to share their journeys to the top, while showcasing key looks from the latest Gucci Cruise 2023 collection.

Episode two has been directed by SMUGGLER director, Ebeneza Blanche, and sees Ramsey reminisce about the start of his journey, his biggest influences, the importance of family, and his future goals.  

The stylish film sees Jalen reminisce on his career and is filled with art house shots of Jalen on the football field and beyond. Ebeneza lets Jalen take control of his own narrative as he asks the press directly not to interview him. Jalen plays both the guest and the host, interviewing himself and travelling back through his mind.

The film follows Jalen’s achievements showing the sporting greatness he has realised and leads up to a crescendo where one Jalen asks the other; ‘with everything you’ve achieved do you feel like you’ve reached your potential?’ To which he replies ‘I’m just getting started’.

For the making of the film, Ebeneesa chose to use an ‘eccentric all black cast’ as he delves into the athlete's past. The piece uses flashbacks in awe-inspiring scenery to create a fantastical whimsy that makes up the feeling of delving into someone's imagination. The Gucci suitcase is a staple part of Jalen's life journey and is incorporated into the narrative filled with items that give him strength along the way.

The campaign is an example of how compelling storytelling, in combination with impeccable artistry can capture the imagination of audiences and embed a brand within the heart of popular culture.