• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, October 10, 2008

Looks like LaDainian Tomlinson had fast feet even in utero. Nike has launched a new ad called "Fate," which tracks both the San Diego Chargers' star running back and Pittsburgh Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu from their earliest days.

In addition to the sonogram shot, we get to see Polamalu bouncing on the family coffee table, LT evading his mother, and eventually, an ESPN-worthy collision between the two on the football field.

Nike says the ad was directed by David Fincher (Se7en and Fight Club), and that it demonstrates not just the hard work and sacrifice required to make it to the pros, but destiny, as well. Shot in 30- and 60-second versions, "all of these scenes were researched and are authentic to the lives and milestones of Tomlinson and Polamalu," the Beaverton, Ore.-based company says.

The spots, from Nike's agency Wieden + Kennedy, began airing over the weekend on college football games as well as during Sunday's NFL games, and will run for several weeks on network TV, in addition to such cable channels as ESPN, ABC, Fox, CBS, BET and MTV.

So far, Nike is one of the few brands that is managing to increase sales, even as consumers cut back in almost all types of apparel spending. In announcing results for its most recent quarter late last month, the company says its revenues in the U.S. gained 8% to $1.8 billion, with sales of athletic footwear climbing 9% to $1.2 billion. And apparel sales also grew by 9%, to $464.4 million.