Watch out, here comes “Chief Zee”, “Cowboy Mom” and “The Violator”. No, it’s not the “Village People”. It’s this year’s most notorious NFL fans and VISA is gearing up to honor this new crop of devoted fans. On January 18, VISA will induct 31 super fans into the NFL/VISA Hall of Fans. This is the second year VISA has honored these face-painting, costume-wearing, shrine-building, season ticket-holding NFL fans.The VISA Hall of Fans is the first and only exhibit in sports that recognizes and honors specific fans for their contributions and dedication to the sport they love — professional football. On hand for the fan ceremony in Canton will be Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and NFL legend Roger Staubach, this year’s VISA Hall of Fans spokesperson and master of ceremonies. VISA and the Pro Football Hall of Fame conducted a nationwide search for the most dedicated fan from each of the 31 NFL teams. Selected by a panel of judges from the Hall of Fame, the NFL and VISA, these ultimate fans are among the most loyal, knowledgeable and enthusiastic in pro football. The VISA Hall of Fans exhibit showcases the honorees through individual panels featuring the fans’ names, photographs and short testimonials. The exhibit also includes famous fan mementos, a plaque with the names of previous VISA Hall of Fans honorees and a film of the league’s most dedicated and sometimes outrageous fans.
The 1999-2000 honorees for the "Visa Hall of Fans" are Arizona Cardinals Russell Boles (a.k.a. "EndZonie") Atlanta Falcons Cheryl Ballard Baltimore Ravens Matt Andrews Buffalo Bills Valerie Pawluk Carolina Panthers Rhett Vandiver Chicago Bears Rob Federighi Cincinnati Bengals James Bruning (a.k.a. "Bengal Jim") Cleveland Browns Ronald Tedeschi Dallas Cowboys Marion Dillon (a.k.a. "Cowboy Mom") Denver Broncos Ellen Lewine-Jones Detroit Lions Peter Cucinella Green Bay Packers John O'Neill (a.k.a. "St. Vince") Indianapolis Colts Terry Musolf Jacksonville Jaguars David Kanaszka Kansas City Chiefs Michael Rodriguez Jr. Miami Dolphins John Mazzanoble (a.k.a. "FinHead") Minnesota Vikings John Velek New England Patriots Mark Feigenbaum New Orleans Saints Marie Knutson New York Giants Jeffrey Borer New York Jets Don Schaeffer Oakland Raiders Wayne Mabry (a.k.a. "Violator") Philadelphia Eagles Richard Prinz Pittsburgh Steelers Marky Billson San Diego Chargers Joseph Parker San Francisco 49ers Martin Jacobs Seattle Seahawks Michael Houston St. Louis Rams Lance Goldberg (a.k.a. "Big Seed") Tampa Bay Buccaneers Melody Figurski Tennessee Oilers Edward Gifford Washington Redskins Zema Williams (a.k.a. "Chief Zee") For more information visit www.visa.com.
