U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue Execute Historic Skydive from Goodyear Blimp

Wings of Blue Fly into ESPN College GameDay

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Sep 12, 2016, 05:11 ET

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) collaborated with the U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue parachute team for an awe-inspiring jump from the Goodyear Blimp this weekend for Saturday's Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol college football game. Watch the must-see skydive video - from jump to landing - here: https://youtu.be/Bl9qr4rxmsI.

History has been made: the first-ever blimp skydive at the biggest college football game ever. #Blimpworthy #BattleatBristol

Cadets from the U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue get set to deliver the game ball for Saturday's Battle At Bristol, following the first skydive from Goodyear Blimp in 51 years (Credit: AP)

Three cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy jumped from an altitude of 2,600 feet from the iconic Goodyear Blimp to deliver the official game ball to ESPN's College GameDay, which aired from Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee and featured Goodyear spokesperson Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the week's guest picker.

"The collaboration with the U.S. Air Force is an extension of Goodyear's century of commitment to those who serve," said Seth Klugherz, Goodyear's North American director of marketing. "This was a unique and exciting way to showcase the Wings of Blue, a truly amazing group of cadets that embody what Goodyear defines as 'Blimpworthy' – hard work, determination and grit."

The jump was witnessed by millions and was made possible by the newly redesigned Goodyear Blimp, which has new capabilities allowing a jump of this magnitude.

The Goodyear Blimp has been broadcasting aerial coverage of college football games for more than 60 years and first provided stunning aerial views for the 1955 Rose Bowl.

Photography, video and broll of the skydive are available here:

Broll: Download here
:24 YouTube video: Link here
:48 video: Download here
:48 YouTube video: Link here
Hi-res photos - courtesy of AP: Download here

About Goodyear

Goodyear, founded in 1898 in Akron, is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 66,000 people and manufactures its products in 49 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, 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.

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl9qr4rxmsI&feature=youtu.be
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160912/406626
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company