Verizon pays homage to first responders in its 2019 Super Bowl ad. 

This 60-second tribute stars Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn, who tells a story of being hit by a speeding car while crossing a street in 2005. "The doctor told me you're very lucky, it was a miracle,” he says, saying he flew some 40 or 50 feet in the air.

Set in a fire station, the commercial sees Lynn (unbeknownst to him) reunite with the rescue workers and paramedics who were on scene after his accident. "They said I had to have some angels with me that night to survive," Lynn tells the small crowd of first responders. "I believe you guys are angels."

The third-quarter ad was created by McCann and directed by Hollywood filmmaker Peter Berg, who also directed the NFL’s 2019 Ad Meter-winning “100-Year Game” spot. 

Verizon’s Super Bowl spot was part of a broader campaign comprised of a dozen ads showing NFL players (and one coach) reuniting with the first responders who saved their lives. Collectively titled “The Team Who Wouldn’t Be Here,” the 11 additional spots were also directed by Berg and began to be released roughly two weeks before the game.

Verizon was the only carrier whose ad went for an emotional punch this year; Sprint, T-Mobile and low-cost mobile virtual network operator Mint Mobile all created Super Bowl more humorous commercials.

BRAND: Verizon

YEAR: 2019

AGENCY: McCann

SUPER BOWL: LIII

QUARTER AIRED: Q3