AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) has teamed up with ESPN to celebrate college football traditions on the road to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic with a fan-fueled showdown to name the best tradition on the gridiron. Starting October 15, fans can head to www.ESPN.com/Goodyear to cast their ballot in the "Winning Traditions Driven by Goodyear®" fan vote, selecting their favorite from a number of recognized traditions in college football, including:

• University of Alabama: Roll Tide
• Army: The Marshall Plaque
• Boise State University: Blue Turf
• University of Colorado Boulder: Ralphie's Run
• University of Iowa: The Swarm
• University of Louisville: Louisville "L"
• University of Miami: The Smoke
• Mississippi State University: Cowbells
• Texas A&M University: 12^th Man
• University of Missouri: Rock M
• University of Oklahoma: Sooner Schooner
• Pennsylvania State University: White Out
• Purdue University: World's Largest Drum
• Texas Tech University: Masked Rider
• University of Wisconsin Madison: Jump Around

Fans can also enter Goodyear's "Winning Traditions Sweepstakes" for a chance to win a College Football Playoff Experience, which includes a trip for two to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, Texas, on December 31, with a winner chosen every week throughout the duration of the promotion. In addition, Goodyear will send a grand prize winner to the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship game in Glendale, Ariz., on January 11, 2016.

"College football is steeped in traditions that inspire superior performance," said Gary Melliere, Goodyear's general manager of brand sponsorships. "For the last 60 years, the Goodyear Blimp has become a college football tradition in its own right, with the Blimp's presence overhead signaling a major matchup is taking place. While fans battle it out to determine whose school has the best tradition, they can agree that the Goodyear Blimp is one they all have in common."

The Goodyear Blimp first provided stunning aerial views of the 1955 Rose Bowl, revolutionizing the way fans experience sporting events. In the years since, Goodyear's iconic airship has covered some of the biggest matchups in college football history, offering its own unique perspective of the action on the ground.

Goodyear worked with collegiate multimedia rights leader Learfield Sports to align with the university programs for the campaign. In addition to these schools, Learfield Sports manages the multimedia rights for nearly 120 collegiate properties nationwide.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 66,000 people and manufactures its products in 49 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/corporate.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151015/277372LOGO
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/goodyear-kicks-off-search-for-the-best-college-football-tradition-300160626.html

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company