A Raleigh, N.C., resident with a fanatical loyalty to the Baltimore Ravens, was crowned today as the Ultimate Displaced Fan by DIRECTV, America’s exclusive source for the popular NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ service that allows displaced fans to follow their favorite team no matter where they live.

A first-time entrant in DIRECTV’s Ultimate Displaced Fan search, Raleigh’s Kris Jones, a 26-year-old sales representative, showcased his unparalleled passion for his favorite NFL team in an award-winning video. As the Ultimate Displaced Fan, Jones wins a trip for two to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas among other prizes.

His video chronicles how Jones reluctantly moved away from Baltimore, Md. – home to his beloved Ravens – three years ago to pursue a job opportunity. Rather than struggling with the reality of leaving behind friends and family, Jones was most upset by the notion that he would no longer be living near his beloved NFL team. Jones, instead of surrendering to this painful reality, decided to take his passion for the Ravens to new heights. He created his own Ravens Mecca in Raleigh.

In his one-of-a-kind video, the self-proclaimed “Ray Lewis of the pavement” provides viewers with a complete tour of his “Ravens Room” – the home of his Baltimore memorabilia, wall decals and a special “night before the big game” bed, where he superstitiously tucks himself in between Ravens-branded sheets and blankets the night before every game. Also in his video, Jones pleads with DIRECTV to send him to the Super Bowl so he can avoid spending the money he’d set aside for his upcoming nuptials on a trip to Dallas should the Ravens go to the Super Bowl. Though the Ravens lost in the playoffs, Jones is going to Dallas for the Super Bowl anyway thanks to his grand prize-winning video, which can be viewed by visiting: http://www.ultimatedisplacedfan.com/vote/?id=2272&type=0

“When I got the call from DIRECTV I was truly speechless,” said an ecstatic Jones. “The fact that my submission stood out among thousands of displaced fan entries is truly an unbelievable honor. I guess my plea to DIRECTV paid off. Not only will I get to attend the Super Bowl, and experience things during Super Bowl week that most fans would only dream about, more importantly, I can save my upcoming marriage.”

The Ultimate Displaced Fan search underscores the value of DIRECTV’s exclusive and most popular sports subscription service, NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, which delivers up to 14 games every Sunday during the regular season, catering to the passionate NFL fans living outside the market of their favorite team.

Fans competed for this unique national distinction by submitting written essays, pictures and/or video entries to www.ultimatedisplacedfan.com. Through their submissions, fans illustrated why they should earn the title of the Ultimate Displaced Fan along with a dream prize package, which includes: a trip for two to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, a media tour at the famed “radio row” with an NFL player from their favorite team and the chance to participate in the nationally televised DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl flag-football game. The winner will also receive a year of complimentary DIRECTV monthly programming along with NFL SUNDAY TICKET service for the 2011 season.

New to this year’s contest, DIRECTV created a fan-voting feature which allowed NFL fans across the country to weigh in on their favorite monthly “Top 20” entries and automatically entered them into a random drawing that took place twice a month. Prizes included autographed memorabilia from Peyton and Eli Manning, Kingsford BBQ kits and much more.

While Jones set himself apart with his highly creative and passionate submission, the following die-hard displaced fans were recognized with the status of “honorable mention.” Each will receive a DIRECTV system and installation, a year of complimentary DIRECTV programming, NFL SUNDAY TICKET service for the 2011 season, a $100 NFL.com Gift Card and a Kingsford BBQ Kit:

  • Ted Ferreira (Lubbock, Texas) – A Minnesota Vikings fan who’s dedicated every detail of his home to the Vikings, including a customized Vikings John Deere tractor, Vikings themed entry gates, Vikings game room with purple and gold couches, among a host of other Vikings themed home design elements and accessories.
  • Justin Hind (Philadelphia, Pa.) – Proudly born and raised in Wisconsin, Justin Hind now lives in Philadelphia where he is surrounded by Eagles fans. Hind lives by a thorough seven-point plan that allows him to show constant support for Green Bay football while trapped in the hostile environments created by the fans from other teams.
  • Sean Boardman (Westbrook, Texas) – Living in Connecticut, miles from his beloved Cowboys, Sean Boardman has an immense knowledge of Dallas football and like most displaced fans, gets frustrated with local affiliates when they don’t broadcast his team’s games.
  • Marcel Batts (Fort Riley, Kan.) – Being surrounded by Cowboys fans as a lifelong resident of Texas has not deterred Batts from showing his loyalty to his team, the San Francisco 49ers. Currently serving his country in Afghanistan, Batts has been in the Army for 16 years. While stationed in Germany, he would wake up at 2 a.m. every Sunday morning during football season to watch the 49ers play and while stateside, Batts enjoys the games from his “49ers Room” decked out in memorabilia.
  • Dave Denning (Hamilton, Ohio) – A Dallas Cowboys fan whose life revolves around his favorite team. Denning has traveled over 13,000 miles to football stadiums across the country and has the framed tickets and photos to prove it. Not to mention a slew of Dallas jerseys, decorations and other forms of paraphernalia.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is the world's most popular video service delivering state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming, the most comprehensive sports packages available and industry leading customer service to its more than 27.6 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 19.1 million customers access to 160 HD channels and Dolby-Digital(R) 5.1 theater-quality sound (when available), access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM), award winning technology like its DIRECTV(R) DVR Scheduler and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 10 years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 8.5 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 65 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or visit DIRECTV.com.

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