AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- College football is back and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) is giving fans the chance to control the Goodyear Blimp during its kick-off weekend. Teaming up with ESPN's SportsNation, Goodyear is calling on college football fans across the country to vote for which matchup during kick-off weekend will be deemed "Blimpworthy" and receive aerial coverage from the Goodyear Blimp. Fans can vote through the Goodyear website ( www.goodyear.com ), on www.espn.com (search term "Blimpworthy"), and ESPN's SportsNation Blimpworthy page http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/9584149/blimpworthy-polls.

"The iconic Goodyear Blimp has become synonymous with the world's largest and greatest sporting events. Fans tell us it's not a truly big event unless the Goodyear Blimp is flying overhead," said Gary Melliere, Goodyear's General Manager of Sponsorships & Marketing Assets. "It's exciting to see fans' passion come to life when they control the Blimp's destiny for kick-off weekend."

The official kick-off announcement, which aired during ESPN's SportsNation broadcast on August 20, opened the polls giving fans the opportunity to send the Goodyear Blimp to one of these exciting matchups: Boise State vs. Ole Miss (August 28); West Virginia vs. Alabama (August 30); or Clemson vs. Georgia (August 30). The Blimpworthy poll closes on Tuesday, August 26, at noon EDT and the voting results will be announced live that day at noon on ESPN's Numbers Never Lie.

Goodyear's blimps are among the most recognizable brand icons, representing the largest tire company in North America. They have adorned the skies since 1925.

Today, the fleet consists of three North American airships - Spirit of America in Carson, CA; Spirit of Innovation in Pompano Beach, FL; and the newest airship, Wingfoot One, which will be christened on Saturday, August 23, and based in Akron, OH.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 69,000 people and manufactures its products in 50 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com.

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SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company