FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 02/02/2019
TRIO OF NEW FORD HALL OF FANS MEMBERS ANNOUNCED DURING SUPER BOWL WEEKEND WILL BE RECOGNIZED AT PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
CANTON, OHIO – For three pro football fans, the knock-knock was no joke.
Miami Dolphins fan Roger Avila, Pittsburgh Steelers • Ford Hall of Fans, a newly created display fan Rick Holman, and Chicago Bears fan Don at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Wachter waited anxiously in their Atlanta hotel rooms announced the selection of three “super Friday morning, waiting to learn which one had been fans” this morning – Miami Dolphins fan selected for entry into the Ford Hall of Fans at the Pro Roger Avila, Pittsburgh Steelers fan Rick Football Hall of Fame. Holman and Chicago Bears fan Don Wachter
Each was hoping to hear the celebratory knock on their • Avila, Holman and Wachter become the door from Pro Football Hall of Fame President & CEO first fans ever honored in the Ford Hall of David Baker signifying their selection into the Ford Fans inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame Hall of Fans. Instead, Baker, following in the tradition in Canton, Ohio of alerting former player, coach and contributor • Ford Hall of Fans honorees will be enshrines, delivered the knock to all three super fans – recognized later this year when the Pro indicating the trio will join the newly created Ford Hall Football Hall of Fame celebrates its 2019 of Fans display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in class of former player inductees Canton, Ohio.
“This means the world to me, you have no idea,” Holman said, echoing the sentiment of all three finalists. “I’ve dedicated nearly half of my life to this, to being a fan. Now, being a part of the Ford Hall of Fans – this is amazing.”
The Ford Hall of Fans chose Avila, Holman and Wachter after they were named finalists courtesy of online fan polling. Baker’s knock kicks off a weekend-long celebration for the three honorees, including attending the Merlin Olsen Hall of Fame Super Bowl Luncheon, participating in Ford Hall of Fame Chalk Talk with former NFL greats JEROME BETTIS and TERRELL DAVIS, and culminating with tickets to Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams.
Avila, 56, of Miami, is a 24-year season-ticket holder known simply as “Dolfan Maniac.” As one of the faces of the organization, he appears frequently on TV during Dolphins broadcasts wearing his signature No. 40 Miami jersey in old-school white.
Holman, 39, of Beaver, Pennsylvania, is a high school history teacher and an 18-year Steelers season-ticket holder. He has attended every game ever played at Heinz Field, including preseason, regular season and playoff games for 18 straight years. He traveled to attend the Steelers’ recent championship appearances in Detroit, Tampa and Dallas.
Wachter, 56, of Plainfield, Illinois, is a Bears season-ticket holder of 33 years. Known among Chicago football fans simply as “Bearman,” he paints his face and wears a bear’s head hat to games. From 1998 to 2004, Wachter fired up the home crowd by running onto Soldier Field carrying a large Bears flag before every game.
The Ford Hall of Fans is the automaker’s way of celebrating the passion fans bring to the various worlds of sports. Last year, Ford debuted a Ford Hall of Fans for NASCAR enthusiasts; this year the honor will extend to include Professional Bull Riders fans.
VIDEO: https://app.frame.io/presentations/26edb821-3ffe-4095-ae9f-84bd2d94356b
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ABOUT THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME Located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the National Football League, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution with the Mission to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. AAM accreditation is national recognition for the museum’s commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards of museum operation and public service.
Hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe travel to Canton annually to experience “The Most Inspiring Place on Earth!” that chronicles America’s most popular sport. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, also voted Top Tourist Attraction in Ohio, was named the Best Attraction for Sports Fans in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest.
Construction on Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village, an $889 million development project that includes 10 main components, is under way in Canton to transform the Hall of Fame’s campus.
Contacts: Pete Fierle, Chief of Staff & Senior Vice President of Communications [email protected]; 330-588-3622
Rachel Gutting, Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives [email protected]; 330-588-3671
@ProFootballHOF
ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Contact: Dan Barbossa 313.407.2328 [email protected]