AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) is teaming up with ESPN to give college football fans another reason to watch the marquee matchups associated with rivalry week this Thanksgiving weekend. Goodyear is offering fans across the country the chance to take the controls on the legendary Goodyear Blimp, an airship synonymous with the world's largest sporting events, to decide which college football match-up will receive aerial coverage and be deemed "Blimpworthy."

Starting today, with an official announcement during ESPN's SportsNation broadcast, fans will have the opportunity to vote to send the Goodyear Blimp to one of these exciting match-ups on Thanksgiving weekend: Stanford at UCLA (November 28), Florida at Florida State (November 29), and Michigan at Ohio State (November 29).

Fans can vote through the Goodyear website (www.goodyear.com), on www.espn.com (search term "Blimpworthy"), and ESPN's SportsNation dedicated Blimpworthy page (http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/page/blimpworthy-131120/blimpworthy-polls) to decide the match-up for which the Goodyear Blimp will provide aerial coverage.

"The Blimpworthy program gives fans the chance to directly interact with Goodyear and the Blimp in a unique way," said Gary Melliere, Goodyear's General Manager - Brand/Sponsorships. "Goodyear doesn't just offer superior performing tires; we provide unmatched aerial coverage with our airship program. We're excited to be a part of the games this Thanksgiving weekend."

The Blimpworthy poll closes on Tuesday, November 25 ^th at 6:00 p.m. (ET) and the voting results will be announced live on SportsNation that day at 6:00 p.m. (ET) on ESPN News.

Further extending the company's role as a major corporate brand participant in college football, Goodyear recently teamed up with ESPN and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association for sponsorship of the 2015 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic to be played Jan. 1 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

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 and have served America as aerial aircraft carriers, surveillance airships protecting merchant ships and early warning radar stations through the 1950s. Today, the fleet consists of three North American airships - Spirit of America in Carson, CA; Wingfoot One in Akron, OH; and Spirit of Innovation in Pompano Beach, FL.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 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