Danica Patrick’s Super Bowl Ad that nearly broke the internet – A look back at the one of the most talked-about commercials

Danica Patrick, former NASCAR driver, has a history of stealing the spotlight on Super Bowl Sunday. One of her most memorable moments came in 2009 when she nearly broke the internet with a GoDaddy commercial that pushed the boundaries of bold advertising. As the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles gear up for this weekend’s championship showdown, one of Patrick’s past Super Bowl ads has resurfaced, igniting fresh conversations on social media.

During Super Bowl XLIII, GoDaddy featured Patrick in an ad where she was seen showering multiple times while three men controlled her movements using a computer keyboard. The commercial took an even more daring turn when another woman joined Patrick in the shower. Even today, it remains one of the most audacious commercials the NFL world has ever witnessed.

Few Super Bowl commercials have left as lasting an impression as the iconic GoDaddy ads featuring Danica Patrick. Over a span of 14 Super Bowl appearances—more than any other celebrity—Patrick became the face of provocative, attention-grabbing marketing. GoDaddy, known for its edgy advertising, found the perfect partner in Patrick, blending her athleticism and beauty with their signature brand of humor and controversy.
During the 2000s, GoDaddy's Super Bowl strategy relied on racy innuendos and adolescent humor to drive viewers to its website. “Nothing turned on America every single February quite like a Danica Patrick GoDaddy ad in the second quarter of the Super Bowl. Nothing.” While these commercials garnered attention, they also sparked criticism for being sexist and offensive. Some were even deemed too provocative for national television, adding to the brand’s notoriety.
One of the most controversial moments came in 2015 when GoDaddy aired a commercial featuring Patrick that was later pulled due to backlash from animal rights activists. The ad depicted a puppy finding its way home, only to be sold online via a GoDaddy-powered website. Pet lovers and advocacy groups found it distasteful, leading to its cancellation before the game. Addressing the controversy, Patrick defended the ad, stating, “We thought it was a really funny, slightly left-side, joke. People have an opinion about everything, especially when you get into that world of animal rights or tree rights, or whatever rights.”
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Despite the criticism, Danica Patrick’s partnership with GoDaddy cemented her legacy in Super Bowl advertising history. While the nature of Super Bowl commercials has evolved, her impact on the era of bold, controversial marketing remains undeniable.