Alaska Airlines 'Russ-cues' Three More Seahawks Fans

SEATTLE, Jan. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines is "russ-cuing" three more Seahawks fans from rival territory in "Russell's 12^th Fan Rescue," a nationwide contest hosted by the airline and star NFL quarterback Russell Wilson. The three winning entries were submitted by Daniel Blickensderfer and Andrea DeBrino of Orlando, Fla., Dominique Fiet of Merrimack, N.H. and Eric Korsmo of South Bend, Ind. See the winning video submissions and the winners from last week's contest at www.alaskaair.com/12thFanRescue.

The winning entries were selected out of nearly 3,000 entries received since Alaska Airlines announced the contest on Jan. 7. Each of the three winners and their guest will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Seattle on Alaska Airlines, including roundtrip airfare, three nights of hotel accommodations, transportation to the game and tickets to watch the Seahawks battle the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game at CenturyLink Field on Jan.19.

In their action trailer Blickensderfer, 28, and DeBrino, 23, try to flee Orlando, where they're chased by other football fans trying to eliminate "12s." Ultimately, the couple is captured and held hostage by a 49er fan. DeBrino, who is from Bothell, Wash., and boyfriend Blickensderfer, a native of Bloomington, Ill., met six months ago at Walt Disney World Resort, where they work.

"Watching the Seahawks actually brought our relationship together," DeBrino said. "Watching football together is a ritual we've done every Sunday since we met and we're thrilled Alaska Airlines is bringing me home to cheer on Russell Wilson in friendly 12^th Man territory."

Fiet, 26, is a native of Oregon and now lives in New England, where she works for a biotech company. Though not a rapper, Fiet said the lyrics for her 12^th fan song came naturally.

"Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, the Seahawks were part of my early childhood memories," she said. "Blue and lime green have been imbedded in my DNA and I'm so thankful to Alaska Airlines for rescuing me from all the Patriot fans."

With assistance from his three daughters, third place winner Korsmo shows his 12^th Man resolve in his video. The 51-year-old television producer and Tacoma, Wash. native, cheers for beloved Hawks throughout his entry despite being hit by snowballs from other NFL team fans.

"Thank you so much Alaska Airlines for this awesome once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come home to visit my family and see the Seahawks take on the 49ers," he said.

Alaska Airlines named Wilson its honorary "chief football officer" last month. As part of the partnership, travelers wearing a Wilson jersey are invited to board early on flights departing from Seattle for the duration of the Seahawks season.

In addition, Alaska has enhanced its support of Seattle Children's Hospital, where Wilson regularly visits young fans receiving care. In honor of his commitment to connect with these children in such a meaningful way, Alaska Airlines is donating 100,000 miles to Children's Hospital for each touchdown pass Wilson throws or touchdown he scores through the rest of this season. Wilson will also appear at events, take part in marketing activities for the airline, and work with the carrier to support youth and education programs.

Fans can follow these and other Wilson announcements at www.facebook.com/AlaskaAirlines and on Twitter @AlaskaAir.

Editor's note: Still photos of the winners are available in the Alaska Airlines Newsroom online image gallery at http://bit.ly/IuFRxE.

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves nearly 100 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. With more nonstop flights to Seattle than any other carrier, Alaska is widely regarded as the West Coast's major airline. Alaska Airlines has ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates North America Airline Satisfaction Study^SM for six consecutive years from 2008 to 2013. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines