Nationwide's Dark, Depressing Super Bowl Ad Causes Outrage on Twitter

Usually, there are two types of Super Bowl ads. There are the really funny, silly ones that make us laugh. And then there are the touching, heartwarming ones that make us well up a bit.

Nationwide Insurance decided to go with something else by completely scaring everyone or bumming them out. The ad was dark, with images of overflowing bathtubs and giant TVs crashed over on the floor. 

The insurance company ran a commercial that featured a kid talking about how he'll never be able to get married or travel the world with his best friend... because he died in a household accident.

"I couldn't grow up," the cherub-faced little boy says to the camera. "Because I died from an accident."

Twitter's response: What. The. Heck?!

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Nationwide responded to the criticism on Super Bowl Sunday by issuing a statement on their website

"Nationwide ran an ad during the Super Bowl that started a fierce conversation. The sole purpose of this message was to start a conversation, not sell insurance. We want to build awareness of an issue that is near and dear to all of us—the safety and well being of our children. While some did not care for the ad, we hope it served to begin a dialogue to make safe happen for children everywhere."  

Raising awareness about childhood accidents inside the home is not a bad thing. However, the ad was too much for some viewers to handle.

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