AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- During College Football Hall of Fame inductee London Fletcher's recent return to northeast Ohio, Goodyear (NASDAQ: GT) staged a surprise reunion with an influential figure from his past for a trip down memory lane, delivered by another inductee – the Goodyear Blimp. The blimp is the first non-player or coach to be recognized by the College Hall of Fame for its contributions to the sport. 

The surprise included a reunion with Fletcher's former coach and mentor, Mike Moran, who joined him on the blimp flyover of key landmarks that shaped his athletic career. 

Fans can witness footage of the surprise here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHstKfeMBe4

"As a kid growing up in northeast Ohio, I never imagined that I would be coming back as a College Football Hall of Famer and receiving all this fanfare, let alone experiencing it all on the Goodyear Blimp," said Fletcher. "To see that I've inspired people through my hard work and dedication during my athletic career is a humbling experience." 

To mark the blimp's honorary induction to the College Football Hall of Fame, Goodyear is launching the "Headed to the Hall" sweepstakes to give one lucky fan and guest a chance to win a VIP hall of fame experience. The prize includes a private tour of the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, tickets to the 2019 Peach Bowl, access to the College Football Hall of Fame suite at the game, a chance to meet with hall of famers and a ride inside the iconic Goodyear Blimp. Visit www.HeadedToTheHall.com to enter from Sept. 20 through Nov. 7*.

"As an honorary member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the eye in the sky on celebrated gamedays, we are proud to have the Goodyear Blimp join the company of the inspiring athletes, including London, who are being recognized for their contributions to the game," said Todd Macsuga, Goodyear's general manager of Brand Marketing. "To bring fans along on London's and the blimp's exciting journey to the hall of fame, we're launching the Headed to the Hall sweepstakes, giving them a chance to win their own VIP college football experience."  

In January 2019, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced that the Goodyear Blimp will be inducted as an honorary member of the College Football Hall of Fame. The blimp's honorary College Football Hall of Fame induction is a result of its legacy in sports and its role in revolutionizing the way fans experience the game. For more than 60 years, the blimp has covered more than 2,000 sporting events, beginning with the Rose Bowl in 1955. Fletcher and the blimp will join 12 other players and two coaches in the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame class this December. 

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN: The Headed to the Hall Sweepstakes is open to U.S. citizens and U.S. resident aliens who are physically located in and legal residents of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years of age (19 in Alabama and Nebraska, 21 in Mississippi) at time of entry.  Sweepstakes commences at 12:00 AM EST on September 20, 2019 and ends at 11:59 PM EST on November 7. 2019 Subject to Official Rules at www.headedtothehall.com. For method of entry and prize descriptions see Official Rules.  Msg & Data rates may apply. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Total ARV of Prizes is $7,785. Sponsor: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, 200 Innovation Way, Akron, Ohio 44316. VOID OUTSIDE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW 

About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs about 64,000 people and manufactures its products in 47 facilities in 21 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.

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SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company