Born Joseph Walter Haden III, Native of Fort Washington, Md., where he attended Friendly High School—a four-year starter at quarterback who set a Maryland public school record with 7,371 career passing yards. As a senior he led his team to the Class 3A state football title with a 14-0 record. Joe started for his school’s basketball team that won a state title. He played college football for the University of Florida, was recognized as a unanimous All-American, and was a member of a BCS National Championship team. He was selected by the Browns in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft as the 7th overall pick. On December 27, 2013, Haden was voted to his first Pro Bowl Selection. He played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL), seven season with the Cleveland Browns and five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On September 21, 2022, Haden announced his retirement and signed a one-day contract with the Cleveland Browns. Joe is the eldest of five boys, his brother Josh was a running back for Boston College, his brother Jordan is a safety for University of Toledo and his brother Jonathan is a running back for University of Arizona. His brother Jacob is a Special Olympic athlete. Jacob competes in the 100 meters race and bocce.
Engagement: In 2015, Joe was recognized as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador at the NFL Super Bowl XLIX media day in Phoenix, Arizona. During the 2015 Super Bowl XLIX media day, Joe teamed up with Special Olympics Athlete, Vanessa Robles, and participated in media row promoting the first-ever Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America and the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015. Joe has attended many Special Olympics Maryland events over the years as his brother Jacob participates in athletics and bocce. Joe attended his first USA Games in 2014 in Princeton, New Jersey where he witness many athletes from North America participate in basketball and flag football. Joe will focus on increasing the number of athletes that participate in flag football, promote healthy athletes and continue to recruit and encourage the public to join the Special Olympics Unified movement.
Alumni Ambassadors
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Apolo Anton Ohno
Olympic Medalist (Speedskating) -
Benedetto Saraceno
Health Expert & Advocate -
Brooklyn Decker Roddick
Actress & Model -
Cafu (Marcos Evangelista de Morais)
Legendary Professional Soccer Player -
Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco
Olympian & World Champion Swimmer -
Emma Broyles
Miss America 2022 -
Gleyber Torres
2x MLB All-Star, New York Yankees Shortstop -
Gracie Hunt
Inclusion activist, Unified Partner and Philanthropist -
Joe Haden
Former NFL Player & All Pro Defensive Back -
Lauren Potter
Actor & Advocate -
Maria Menounos
Actor & New York Times Best-Selling Author -
Michelle Kwan
Olympic Medalist, Figure Skating, United States Ambassador to Belize -
Montell Jordan
International Recording Artist/Pastor -
Nancy O'Dell
Media Personality -
Ricardo Montaner
Grammy Award Winning Singer & Songwriter -
Ricky Rubio
Former NBA Player, Cleveland Cavaliers -
Scott Hamilton
Olympic Champion, Figure Skating -
Vanessa Williams
Singer & Broadway Performer -
Willson Contreras
2x MLB All-Star, St. Louis Cardinals Catcher -
Yuna Kim
Olympic Champion, Figure Skating
