Play hard. Slay harder.
If football doesn't work out for Saints rookie Jake Haener, rest assured that he has the potential to find success in an entirely different venture: modeling.
The Fresno State alum unleashed his inner Cindy Crawford during the NFLPA's rookie photo shoot, making like a supermodel as he posed in front of the flashing lightbulbs.
Decked in his sleek black No. 14 jersey, Haener strutted his stuff, employing a series of different poses all designed to evoke the same reaction: wow.
He pouted. He contemplated. He served. And we all watched, mouths agape at the masterclass we were witnessing.
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Haener eluded the typical tropes of the Focused Athlete Pose™ amid the glow of flashing camera lightbulbs, instead capturing all of our glares with a thousand-mile stare that could melt glaciers.
You only get one chance to make a first impression. Haener's deserves to be on the cover of Vogue. Not too bad for a fourth-rounder.
I mean, look at this posture. This is the look of a man who knows he's killing the game.
this Jake Haener photo shoot is an unserious roller coaster of emotions 😂😂🤣
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 22, 2023
thread pic.twitter.com/emU2nhuaqu
No matter the shot, Haener ate. Peep the way he's caressing the football here. How could you not want this man under center on your team?
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 22, 2023
The gridiron has always served the 24-year-old Haener well. He shined with the Bulldogs, throwing for 67 touchdowns while completing 68.2 percent of his passes at Fresno State. He ranks as one of the program's greatest hurlers, a list that also includes fellow Saints quarterback Derek Carr.
Nevertheless, his sultry poses indicate he's a multi-dimensional talent. Perhaps an appearance at the Met Gala lies in his future?
Anyways, here are some of the best looks Haener offered as he made the NFLPA's studio his own personal catwalk. Also included are some of the memes and jokes that came to be as Haener's photoshoot went viral.
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 22, 2023
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 22, 2023
end thread with a slight tongue reveal pic.twitter.com/fRztVgSxb3
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 22, 2023
There's only one explanation for Jake Haener's photo shoot 🤣 pic.twitter.com/TUXsGneDpq
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) May 22, 2023
Me when Jake Haener starts dotting up defenses in the preseason pic.twitter.com/iAfxXOIkJu
— Brenden Ertle (@BrendenErtle) May 22, 2023
Jake Haener looks like if Alex Moran from Blue Mountain State made the NFL… 🐐 pic.twitter.com/OFSzo7wPbt
— Joe Beldner (@JoeBeldner) May 22, 2023
Jake Haener is ready for his close up 🤣 pic.twitter.com/bSAXOoUZ9h
— SportsLine (@SportsLine) May 22, 2023