A.J. Barner celebrates with Seahawks fans again after Super Bowl parade

On Wednesday, Seattle Seahawks tight end A.J. Barner was exactly what you would expect a Super Bowl champion to be in the moment. Cowboy hat on, tank top out, soaking in the chaos and joy of a championship parade as the entire city turned out to celebrate.

He looked every bit the part of a player living out the dream, partying with teammates and feeding off the energy of hundreds of thousands of Seahawks fans lining the streets.

But less than 24 hours later, the scene could not have been more different. Instead of strolling down Fourth Avenue, Barner was behind a counter at a Seattle McDonald’s, greeting fans, taking photos, and handing out smiles just as willingly as he had soaked up cheers the day before.

Same fans, same appreciation, albeit in a very different setting. But that's just who Barner is.

Whether celebrating a Super Bowl title in the middle of a packed downtown parade or showing up for fans the morning after, one of the Seahawks’ unlikely Super Bowl heroes continues to prove he is, at heart, a man of the people.

A.J. Barner celebrated with Seahawks fans this week after his Super Bowl victory

A fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Barner emerged as a key player for the Seahawks this season, finishing his breakout campaign with 52 catches for 519 yards and six touchdowns.

Barner established himself as an integral part of Klint Kubiak's offense as one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL and an excellent red-zone threat — in more ways than one.

The Michigan product was relatively quiet in the Seahawks' first two postseason games, but he proved to be a crucial piece of Seattle's offense in the Super Bowl, hauling in four catches for 54 yards and the game's first touchdown in the third quarter.

Barner took the opportunity in the days following the event to show his appreciation to the very fanbase that helped his team reach these heights. Seahawks fans showed up in droves at both the parade and Thursday's McDonald's event.

"I'm not surprised the 12s showed out. ... They're just great fans. Great people. They support us on and off the field."

A.J. Barner

Barner explained his parade antics and fashion choices from Wednesday by saying he felt someone had to bring the vibes and the energy. Less than a day later, he carried that same positivity to that local McDonald’s, where he greeted 100 lucky fans during a special meet-and-greet.

From the parade route to a fast-food counter, Barner made it clear that the celebration was never just about him. It was about showing up for the fans who supported the Seahawks every step of the way, and doing it with the same energy, gratitude, and authenticity that helped define their championship run.