One of five players across the league to participate in the commercial, Haden popped out of present-like boxes to surprise fans and say, “Thank you -- for being a fan” for the NFL’s national TV spot which aired in front of 150 million viewers during the broadcast of Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens.
Haden represented the Browns, and Paul Posluszny (Jacksonville), DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia) and Patrick Peterson and Calais Campbell (Arizona) also thanked fans in their respective NFL cities. The commercial was done with a hidden-camera style to ensure “genuine honesty” similar to last year’s spot.
In order to participate in the commercial, Haden flew back to Cleveland and spent a recent Sunday visiting with fans.
Haden started the day in Broadview Heights, where he visited employees at a Giant Eagle store. After the present box was delivered to the produce section, Haden decorated cookies in the bakery, making sandwiches in the deli and ringing up the customers in the checkout line. He also signed autographs and took photos with the surprised fans.
Haden finished the day Brook Park, right around the corner from the team’s Berea headquarters, and visited with Jerry Bowyer, owner of Kicker’s Pizza. Bowyer has been a season-ticket holder since 1995 and has four grandchildren, two boys and two girls, between the ages of four and nine.
During the visit to the Bowyer residence, Haden watched playoff football games and played catch with one of Bowyer’s grandsons.
