Edwards' fervor perfect fit, but Aflac feathers passion

NEW YORK -- 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 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.