GUINNESS Challenges Fans to Go 'Head to Head' With Jerome Bettis

NEW YORK, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- GUINNESS® announced today the launch of the Guinness® Pro Challenge, a national contest to find consumers bold enough to go head-to-head with professional football legend Jerome "The Bus" Bettis. Consumers can share their most memorable athletic moment of character and courage at www.Guinness.com for the chance to win a trip to Dallas the week of pro football's post-season finale and take on Bettis in a head-to-head GUINNESS pint pouring competition.

"My running style was fast and hard, but since retiring I've mastered the art of pouring a perfect pint of GUINNESS which requires more patience and precision, and of course enjoying it responsibly," said Bettis, who ranks fifth on the NFL's all-time rushing list.  "I don't think there's another person out there who can match my pint-pouring prowess, and I'm ready to back that up in Dallas."

Between now and October 31st  U.S. residents, who are at least 21 years of age at the time of entry, can visit www.Guinness.com and detail in 100 words or less a moment where they boldly stepped up to face an athletic challenge and persevered.  Entries will be judged on originality, creativity and adherence to the theme; one grand prize winner will be chosen.

"Maybe it was that time you shot the three-pointer for the win rather than take the two for the tie, maybe it was the suicide squeeze bunt in the bottom of the ninth, and maybe it was the ultimate show of boldness in sports: the on-side kick to start the second half on the biggest stage in your sport," the six-time Pro Bowl selection continued.  "I'll be joining the folks at GUINNESS in reading through each and every submission to find the one that best exemplifies the boldness, courage and character that GUINNESS celebrates."

The winner will receive an all expense paid trip to Dallas with three guests and will go head-to-head with Bettis for the ultimate bragging rights to see who can pour the most perfect pint of GUINNESS.

"In my playing days, I may have been known for running the ball hard and seemingly recklessly," Bettis continued.  "But when it comes to enjoying pints, I always encourage people to do so responsibly and in moderation."  

Founded by a bold man who signed an unprecedented 9,000 year lease on St. James's Gate brewery more than 250 years ago, boldness is intrinsic to the GUINNESS brand:  it lives in its flavor, its character and its history.  Creating the distinctive black pint with the unmistakable creamy white head is no simple feat, and requires, precision, patience and above all else passion that no other beer requires.  The six-step, two-part Perfect Pour and is a bold challenge that many have tried, but not all have conquered.

Known for its dark color and distinct taste, GUINNESS is a bold choice when choosing a beer on game day.  Whether you're taking on Bettis in the pint pouring competition or enjoying a few pints with your friends elsewhere, GUINNESS reminds everyone that Fortune Favors the Bold… And even more so the Responsible.

Visit www.Guinness.com for more information and official rules.

ADDITIONAL QUOTES FOR USE:

"You want bold?  Ask the hundreds of defensive backs I ran over during my career if they think I'm bold." – Jerome Bettis

"I was fortunate enough to win a Super Bowl before retiring, and in fact I retired immediately after winning the Super Bowl.  I went out on top, and intend to come out of the Guinness Pro Challenge on top, too." – Jerome Bettis

"GUINNESS has long celebrated boldness, so we wanted to reward GUINNESS fans for their bold moments in sports.  For one lucky fan and a few of his friends, the phrase 'Fortune Favors the Bold' will ring truer than ever as they get to go head to head with one of the boldest players in recent sports history." - Patrick Hughes, Brand Director, GUINNESS

About GUINNESS®

GUINNESS® enjoys a global reputation as a uniquely authentic Irish beer and the best-selling stout in the world.  Famous for its dark color, creamy head and unique surge and settle, this distinctive beer has been brewed at the St. James's Gate brewery in Dublin, Ireland since 1759.  Over 10 million glasses of GUINNESS beer are enjoyed every single day around the world, and 1.8 billion pints are sold every year.  GUINNESS is available in well over 100 countries worldwide and is brewed in almost 50.  Also from the makers of GUINNESS, SMITHWICK'S, Ireland's oldest and best selling ale and HARP Lager, whose name pays tribute to the GUINNESS logo and the national symbol of Ireland.  Additional information about GUINNESS can be found at www.guinness.com.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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SOURCE GUINNESS