AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 100,000 college football fans across North America weighed in and with 44 percent of the vote, the marquee matchup of the University of Florida at Florida State University, was named winner of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's (NYSE: GT) latest "Blimpworthy" poll, drawing aerial coverage by the iconic Goodyear Blimp during the Nov. 24 college football contest. The game was officially announced as the winner on ESPN's First Take broadcast, defeating matchups between University of Notre Dame at University of Southern California (37 percent), and University of Michigan at Ohio State University (19 percent).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121121/NY17588LOGO)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO)

"We would like to thank the thousands of fans that took the time to vote and make  'Blimpworthy' a success. We are excited to have the Goodyear Blimp providing great aerial coverage for such an amazing in-state rivalry," said Garth Ely, Goodyear's director of brand marketing. "The stage is set for a hard-fought gridiron battle and fans will get a view from the best seat in the house...from the Goodyear Blimp."

The poll kicked off with an official announcement during Nov. 12's ESPN2's SportsNation broadcast, and fans voted on the websites of Goodyear and ESPN to decide where the Goodyear Blimp would provide aerial coverage. The choices included the three college football games with voting ending at 5 p.m. on Monday, November 19.

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; Spirit of Goodyear in Akron, OH; and Spirit of Innovation in Pompano Beach, FL.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies.  It employs about 71,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 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 or its products, go to www.goodyear.com.

SOURCE Goodyear