THE “PEGASUS” MIRACLE: Behind the Viral Budweiser Flight That Defied Reality

SANTA CLARA, CA – As the final notes of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” reached their legendary crescendo during Super Bowl LX, 115 million viewers witnessed what many assumed was a triumph of digital effects. A massive Budweiser Clydesdale, mid-gallop, leaped over a fallen log just as a bald eagle swept upward from its back, creating a silhouette so perfect it looked like a mythical Pegasus taking flight.

The internet’s verdict was swift and cynical: “Beautiful, but obviously CGI.”

But as the sun rose on the morning after the Big Game, the truth emerged from a quiet farm in California where the ad was filmed. There were no green screens, no AI-generated feathers, and no digital shortcuts. The moment was 100% real—the result of a 28-year-old rescue eagle named Lincoln and a bond of trust that spanned months of preparation.

The Bird Who Couldn’t Hunt

Lincoln is not your typical “Hollywood” animal. Cared for by the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) in Tennessee, his story is one of resilience. Hatched in 1998, Lincoln was part of a breeding program during a time when bald eagles were still on the endangered species list.

Twice, conservationists tried to release him into the wild. Twice, he failed to thrive. His natural hunting instincts never quite kicked in; instead of diving for fish, he was famously found scavenging for fried chicken from trash cans and accepting bacon from a resident’s backyard. Deemed “non-releasable” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lincoln found a new calling as an educational ambassador.

For the last several years, Lincoln has been the “pro” behind the flight during the national anthem at Philadelphia Eagles home games. When director Henry-Alex Rubin began planning “American Icons” to celebrate Budweiser’s 150th anniversary, he knew he didn’t want a digital bird. He wanted the real deal.

The “Pegasus” Shot: How They Did It

The production team at Amazon MGM Studios and BBDO New York spent weeks on a California ranch ensuring the safety and comfort of the animals. The “Pegasus” moment required the Clydesdale and the eagle to be perfectly synchronized.

“We train based on relationships,” explained Jessica Hall, CEO of the AEF. “Lincoln doesn’t see the horse as a predator or a threat. He sees him as a teammate.”

The training involved positive reinforcement, where Lincoln’s handlers used his favorite treats to encourage him to perch on the horse’s back. During the actual shoot, the horse leaped over a log—a standard maneuver for the well-trained Budweiser hitch—and Lincoln took flight at the exact moment of the jump. The “pause in the chest” that viewers felt was the raw physics of a six-pound bird with a six-foot wingspan catching the air.

A Return to Authenticity

The ad, titled “American Icons,” marks a significant shift in marketing. After years of brands leaning heavily into CGI and AI-generated content, Budweiser went “old school.” They even cast a real-life barley farmer, Brian Fransen, to give the commercial’s ending—the famous “Sun’s in my eyes” tear-jerker—a grounded, authentic feel.

The gamble paid off. Budweiser dominated the USA TODAY Ad Meter, taking the #1 spot for 2026. In an era where deepfakes make it hard to believe our own eyes, Lincoln’s flight reminds us that nature doesn’t need a filter to be breathtaking.

“He’s a talker, he’s engaging, and he loves to show off,” Hall said of Lincoln. “When he took that flight, he wasn’t just following a cue. He was doing what he does best: being an icon.”

Would you like me to look up the official behind-the-scenes “Making Of” video so you can see the raw footage of Lincoln and the Clydesdales?

Lincoln the Eagle’s Super Bowl Journey

This video provides an exclusive look at how the American Eagle Foundation trained Lincoln and the real-life story of the eagle behind the commercial.

Super Bowl LX Commercial ‘American Icons’ – Budweiser – YouTube

System1 Group · 4.1K views