Known for his hard hits on opposing players, National Football League Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl champion Ronnie Lott has formed a pigskin partnership with Michelin to help promote the company’s new LTX M/S2 tire.
Throughout the 2009 football season, Lott will share his expertise with fantasy football players at www.ronnielottfantasyfootball.com. He will help potential tire customers weigh their options as they participate in fantasy football leagues. Lott will have three posts each week designed to give fantasy team owners credible advice about football – and tire selection.
“Thanks to my partnership with Michelin and my passion for the game, I’ll be an active participant this season providing fantasy football players with valuable information needed to make informed decisions,” says Lott, 50, who starred as a cornerback, free safety and strong safety at the University of Southern California and the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Raiders and the New York Jets. As a Pro Bowler at both cornerback and safety, Lott is widely considered to be one of the best defensive backs in the history of the game.
In his 14 seasons, Lott recorded 8.5 sacks and 63 interceptions, which he returned for 730 yards and five touchdowns. He recovered 17 fumbles, returned them for 43 yards, and gained 113 yards on kickoff returns. Lott also played in 20 postseason games, recording nine interceptions, 89 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and two touchdowns.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000, his first year of eligibility, and was also named to the NFL’s 75th anniversary team.
“Football is a game of strategy, and fantasy football fans enjoy playing because it allows them to be in the driver’s seat,” Lott points out. “They can weigh their options and choose the best player that will give them the best results.”
“He resonates well with consumers and can provide information they are looking for in a space where they are already playing,” explains Don Byrd, vice president of marketing at Michelin Americas’ small tires division. “It provides an authentic connection between a legendary sports figure and Michelin’s most legendary tire.”
The original LTX M/S tire “has always been at the top of its category and has remained a long-time consumer favorite,” Byrd says. “To make a great tire even better,” he continues “Michelin tire engineers incorporated several innovations and technologies” into the new M/S2 edition.
“The utilization of these advanced technologies provides significant improvements in safety, longevity and fuel efficiency,” Byrd notes, adding that the recently launched M/S2 is the longest lasting tire in its class and gives drivers up to 20,000 more miles than competitors’ brands while stopping seven feet shorter.
The company’s partnership with Lott will run through the end of the regular NFL season.
For more information, visit www.michelinman.com.
