INDIANAPOLIS — His team may not have made the playoffs, but Colts owner Jim Irsay is providing the trip of a lifetime to four Bengals fans desperate to watch their team in the Super Bowl.
Irsay announced on Twitter Tuesday he would send two pairs of Bengals fans to the game at SoFi Stadium Feb. 13 — and pay for airfare and hotel rooms. The only requirement? They must prove that they're "A HARD CORE BENGALS FAN."
"I'm sending two pairs of BENGALS FANS to the SUPER BOWL," Irsay tweeted. "Who are dey???"
Irsay's post had thousands of retweets and replies as Bengals fans showed their dedication to a franchise that has not reached a Super Bowl since the 1988 season.
In the end, the Colts owner selected two fans — Lauren, an Air Force veteran, and Shelby, who said she would take her father, a fan who has not missed a Bengals home game since 1987.
HERE WE GO. SO MANY deserving, wish I could send all of you...CONGRATS to hard-core fan and Air Force veteran @LonerLauren ; and @ShelbyLongworth and her dad, who hasn't missed a game since 1987. HEADED TO THE SUPER BOWL! We will DM both of you for flight and hotel details🏈🇺🇸
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) February 2, 2022
Bengals great Chad Ochocinco Johnson retweeted the announcement, saying, "Jim this is awesome & i love you #WhoDey."
Irsay is also sending two Colts fans to the game, asking for submissions on Twitter.
The Bengals and Colts did not play in the 2021 regular season and will not face each other in 2022. The Colts beat Cincinnati in Indianapolis during Week 6 of the 2020 season.
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