We love witty and on-the-nose ads, don’t we? There’s something special about those commercials that manage to stick with us, surviving the years and the endless media vying for our attention. From the mosquito that exploded after biting the guy who put Tabasco on his pizza, to the iconic “Feliz Navidad” Corona Christmas lights on a lonely palm tree, to the unforgettable “Dumb Ways to Die” PSA for Australian train safety—these ads have carved out a permanent home in our minds.
Now, the International House of Pancakes (IHOP, as it’s known across America) has entered the chat. Debuting a brand new commercial, this national breakfast chain has struck advertising gold. Here are five reasons this commercial deserves a spot in your cerebral cortex (the part of your brain responsible for long-term memories):
### 1. Ultimate American Pop Culture
There are few things more American than fantasy football. For the uninitiated, it’s a tradition in which friends, coworkers, families, and even strangers form leagues and draft their own unique football rosters. A quarterback from the Kansas City Chiefs might share your fantasy team lineup with receivers from the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Raiders. The point is: You “own” the team, not the franchise, and players are chosen based on talent alone.
Every week, fantasy rosters face off, earning points for individual player performance. One team wins, another loses. The goal? Navigate your lineup to the playoffs and—hopefully—the championship. Fantasy football is brilliant because it gives fans a reason to watch every NFL game, regardless of team loyalty. (For example, I’m a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, but if I have the New York Giants’ Malik Nabers on my roster, I’ll tune into Giants games I’d otherwise ignore.)
IHOP’s latest ad is built entirely around fantasy football—proving the company is truly in touch with everyday Americans.
### 2. Recognition of Schadenfreude
Let’s shift from something as American as football to the very German concept of “schadenfreude.” (Personally, I pronounce it SHAD-en-froy-d, but as a Texan, I reserve the right to say things my own way.) This word describes the joy or satisfaction we feel at another’s misfortune.
Let’s be honest: If you’re cheering for San Francisco 49ers’ Bryce Huff to sack your opponent’s quarterback and it happens, you can’t wait to gleefully rub it in the next morning at the break room coffee pot. A pancake company capitalizing on fleeting feelings of superiority? Genius. IHOP managed to strike a chord with a huge segment of the population, without even trying.
### 3. Finding Humor in Emotional Turmoil
Like the NFL, fantasy leagues host their own drafts, with teams choosing first, second, third, and fourth-round picks. Trades may be allowed right up through certain points in the season. Serious fantasy players research collegiate prospects, track off-season moves, and keep a close eye on preseason activities. They come to the draft table knowing exactly who to pick and what they’re willing to trade to avoid bottom placement.
When your prized first-round pick—the one you researched so thoroughly you know his favorite gas station snack and childhood theme park—goes down with a season-ending injury, it’s enough to send any fantasy manager into emotional turmoil. What now—trade, pray, or offer a sacrifice of pork rinds and PBR?
The star of this IHOP commercial is none other than NY Giants’ wide receiver Malik Nabers. After being selected 6th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nabers was a coveted first- (sometimes second-) round fantasy league pick. But he suffered a devastating right knee injury in Week Four, forcing him out for the remainder of the 2025-26 NFL season—just a quarter into the games.
IHOP’s commercial features Nabers on crutches, poking fun at the plight of fantasy managers doomed to last place because they picked him. “Oh, you got Nabers? HaHaHa! Sucker! Enjoy last place!” It’s a hilarious, on-brand way to bring humor to the heartbreak.
### 4. Capitalizing on Losers
Many fantasy football leagues reward winners—perhaps with a nice Chipotle gift card (I’ve been there, many moons ago). But some leagues love to punish their losers. One favorite consequence: the loser must spend 24 hours at IHOP, eating pancakes frequently enough to avoid getting booted out.
If you’ve ever had IHOP’s hubcap-sized pancakes, you know one serving can keep you full for hours. A “short stack” easily sets you back $10-15, depending on drinks and tips. Eat a stack every two hours for 24 hours? That’s 12 orders—about $180 total!
Knowing this tradition, IHOP tossed a lifeline to those facing this syrupy plight: bottomless pancakes, with the purchase of any full-priced breakfast combo. Sure, there’s a catch—you’ll need to buy a combo with eggs, meat, and potatoes. But hey, would you rather drop $200, or just fork up some scrambled eggs and hashbrowns? Thought so. Someone had to lose!
### 5. The Normalization of Celebrity
IHOP’s ad wraps up with a child approaching Nabers—starstruck, before bluntly blaming the footballer for ruining his fantasy season. Imagine if Kim Kardashian was recognized on the street not for her celebrity empire, but as “the toilet brush poodle from Paw Patrol.” She’d probably faint and require smelling salts and a custom Gucci bodysuit before reviving.
Here, we see a multimillionaire football star in a hilariously bad pancake-striped terrycloth polo, cheerfully embracing his failing fans. As if that weren’t enough, actress Natalie Pheffer absolutely nails the role of the quintessential IHOP waitress—so perfectly that it transported me right back to my college days when Waco’s IHOP still let students linger after midnight.
Fantasy football brings elite athletes into our living rooms—and IHOP, with this new ad, brings everyday people into the big leagues. It’s the great equalizer.
While we may not remember Malik Nabers in a couple of years, I sincerely hope we’ll remember the ad execs clever enough to make IHOP-as-punishment go viral.
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**Would you play in a PJ Media fantasy football league? Would you survive the IHOP challenge? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!**
https://pjmedia.com/ashleymccully/2025/12/26/5-reasons-this-ihop-ad-belongs-in-the-commercial-hall-of-fame-n4947565