Ravens Fanatic Rules Roost As DIRECTV's 2010 Ultimate Displaced Fan
Nationwide Search Leads to Raleigh, N.C., Resident Whose ‘Ravens
Mecca' Video Tour included A Plea to Save His Wedding; Video was Among
Thousands of Entries
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
A Raleigh, N.C., resident with a fanatical loyalty to the Baltimore
Ravens, was crowned today as the Ultimate Displaced Fan by DIRECTV,
America's exclusive source for the popular NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ service
that allows displaced fans to follow their favorite team no matter where
they live.
A first-time entrant in DIRECTV's Ultimate Displaced Fan search,
Raleigh's Kris Jones, a 26-year-old sales representative, showcased his
unparalleled passion for his favorite NFL team in an award-winning
video. As the Ultimate Displaced Fan, Jones wins a trip for two to Super
Bowl XLV in Dallas among other prizes.
His video chronicles how Jones reluctantly moved away from Baltimore,
Md. — home to his beloved Ravens — three years ago to pursue a job
opportunity. Rather than struggling with the reality of leaving behind
friends and family, Jones was most upset by the notion that he would no
longer be living near his beloved NFL team. Jones, instead of
surrendering to this painful reality, decided to take his passion for
the Ravens to new heights. He created his own Ravens Mecca in Raleigh.
In his one-of-a-kind video, the self-proclaimed "Ray Lewis of the
pavement" provides viewers with a complete tour of his "Ravens Room" —
the home of his Baltimore memorabilia, wall decals and a special "night
before the big game" bed, where he superstitiously tucks himself in
between Ravens-branded sheets and blankets the night before every game.
Also in his video, Jones pleads with DIRECTV to send him to the Super
Bowl so he can avoid spending the money he'd set aside for his upcoming
nuptials on a trip to Dallas should the Ravens go to the Super Bowl.
Though the Ravens lost in the playoffs, Jones is going to Dallas for the
Super Bowl anyway thanks to his grand prize-winning video, which can be
viewed by visiting: http://www.ultimatedisplacedfan.com/vote/?id=2272&type=0
"When I got the call from DIRECTV I was truly speechless," said an
ecstatic Jones. "The fact that my submission stood out among thousands
of displaced fan entries is truly an unbelievable honor. I guess my plea
to DIRECTV paid off. Not only will I get to attend the Super Bowl, and
experience things during Super Bowl week that most fans would only dream
about, more importantly, I can save my upcoming marriage."
The Ultimate Displaced Fan search underscores the value of DIRECTV's
exclusive and most popular sports subscription service, NFL SUNDAY
TICKET™, which delivers up to 14 games every Sunday during the regular
season, catering to the passionate NFL fans living outside the market of
their favorite team.
Fans competed for this unique national distinction by submitting written
essays, pictures and/or video entries to www.ultimatedisplacedfan.com.
Through their submissions, fans illustrated why they should earn the
title of the Ultimate Displaced Fan along with a dream prize package,
which includes: a trip for two to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, a media tour
at the famed "radio row" with an NFL player from their favorite team and
the chance to participate in the nationally televised DIRECTV Celebrity
Beach Bowl flag-football game. The winner will also receive a year of
complimentary DIRECTV monthly programming along with NFL SUNDAY TICKET
service for the 2011 season.
New to this year's contest, DIRECTV created a fan-voting feature which
allowed NFL fans across the country to weigh in on their favorite
monthly "Top 20" entries and automatically entered them into a random
drawing that took place twice a month. Prizes included autographed
memorabilia from Peyton and Eli Manning, Kingsford BBQ kits and much
more.
While Jones set himself apart with his highly creative and passionate
submission, the following die-hard displaced fans were recognized with
the status of "honorable mention." Each will receive a DIRECTV system
and installation, a year of complimentary DIRECTV programming, NFL
SUNDAY TICKET service for the 2011 season, a $100 NFL.com Gift Card and
a Kingsford BBQ Kit:
-
Ted Ferreira (Lubbock, Texas) — A Minnesota Vikings fan who's
dedicated every detail of his home to the Vikings, including a
customized Vikings John Deere tractor, Vikings themed entry gates,
Vikings game room with purple and gold couches, among a host of other
Vikings themed home design elements and accessories.
-
Justin Hind (Philadelphia, Pa.) — Proudly born and raised in
Wisconsin, Justin Hind now lives in Philadelphia where he is
surrounded by Eagles fans. Hind lives by a thorough seven-point plan
that allows him to show constant support for Green Bay football while
trapped in the hostile environments created by the fans from other
teams.
-
Sean Boardman (Westbrook, Texas) — Living in Connecticut, miles
from his beloved Cowboys, Sean Boardman has an immense knowledge of
Dallas football and like most displaced fans, gets frustrated with
local affiliates when they don't broadcast his team's games.
-
Marcel Batts (Fort Riley, Kan.) — Being surrounded by Cowboys
fans as a lifelong resident of Texas has not deterred Batts from
showing his loyalty to his team, the San Francisco 49ers. Currently
serving his country in Afghanistan, Batts has been in the Army for 16
years. While stationed in Germany, he would wake up at 2 a.m. every
Sunday morning during football season to watch the 49ers play and
while stateside, Batts enjoys the games from his "49ers Room" decked
out in memorabilia.
-
Dave Denning (Hamilton, Ohio) — A Dallas Cowboys fan whose life
revolves around his favorite team. Denning has traveled over 13,000
miles to football stadiums across the country and has the framed
tickets and photos to prove it. Not to mention a slew of Dallas
jerseys, decorations and other forms of paraphernalia.
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is the world's most popular video service
delivering state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming, the most
comprehensive sports packages available and industry leading customer
service to its more than 27.6 million customers in the U.S. and Latin
America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 19.1 million customers access
to 160 HD channels and Dolby-Digital(R) 5.1 theater-quality sound (when
available), access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY
TICKET(TM), award winning technology like its DIRECTV(R) DVR Scheduler
and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 10
years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and
affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia,
and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in
technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital
television experience to 8.5 million customers. DIRECTV sports and
entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks
(Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 65 percent
interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on
DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or visit DIRECTV.com.
DIRECTV
Robert Mercer, (310) 964-4683
or
Leader
Enterprises
Mike Whitmark, (562) 546-6008
Source: DIRECTV
News Provided by Acquire Media
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