Joe Haden

Joseph Walter Haden III was born on April 14, 1989, in Fort Washington, Maryland. He distinguished himself early as a dual-sport athlete at Friendly High School, excelling in both football as a safety and quarterback, and basketball as a point guard. In football, he led his high school team to a 14-0 record and a MPSSAA Class 3A State Championship in his senior year, setting Maryland state records for career passing yards and touchdown passes. His collegiate career at the University of Florida further showcased his talent, where he played as a cornerback for the Florida Gators. He became the first true freshman to start at cornerback for the Gators on opening day in 2007, earning freshman All-American honors. A pivotal achievement was being a member of the BCS National Championship team in 2008 and later being recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American in 2009. Haden’s outstanding performance in college led him to forgo his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft.

Haden was selected seventh overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft. His professional career spanned 12 seasons, marked by notable achievements and consistent play. With the Browns, he quickly became a key defensive player, securing a five-year, $50 million contract in 2010. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2013, followed by a second-team All-Pro honor the same year. In 2014, he signed a five-year, $68 million contract extension with the Browns, demonstrating his value to the team. After seven seasons with the Cleveland Browns (2010-2016), Haden transitioned to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017. He signed a three-year, $27 million contract and continued to perform at a high level, earning his third Pro Bowl selection in 2019. His career highlights include 29 interceptions, 155 pass deflections, and 615 tackles across both teams.

Throughout his career, Haden was known for his leadership and commitment to community initiatives. He played an instrumental role in his teams’ defensive efforts and was a consistent presence in the secondary. He advocated on behalf of “Spread the Word to End the Word” to discourage the pejorative use of the word “retarded,” reflecting his dedication to social causes, partly inspired by his brother Jacob who lives with a cognitive disorder. Joe Haden officially announced his retirement from professional football on September 21, 2022, signing a one-day contract with the Cleveland Browns to honor his beginnings. He remains a respected figure in the football community and beyond.