Pats & Rams' Visa Hall of Fans Honorees Travel to New Orleans
The "Visa Hall of Fans" is the first and only exhibit in sports that recognizes and honors specific fans for their contributions and dedication to the sport they love -- professional football. The "Visa Hall of Fans" exhibit in the Pro Football Hall of Fame showcases the honorees through individual panels featuring the fans' names, photographs and short testimonials.
Selected by a panel of NFL, Hall of Fame and Visa representatives, these avid fans are among the most loyal, devoted and enthusiastic fans in pro football.
Here's a look at the ultimate fans from the Rams and Patriots who are in New Orleans for Super Bowl XXXVI on Sunday.
St. Louis Fan: Kathy Lewis
Fan Since: "The Beginning," according to 2000 Visa Hall of Fans honoree Maryanne Dersch
Fan Fact: Kathy is an infectious fan. Besides raising two Rams-loving boys and converting several beauty salon clients into rabid fans, she convinced her future daughter-in-law to schedule the bridal shower on a bye week.
New England Fan: Randy "Zip" Pierce
Fan Since: Season ticket holder since 1988
Fan Fact: Randy has maintained a Patriots web site (www.patriotzip.com) since 1996, and has continued to single-handedly update a hub of reviews, previews and standings, despite losing his eyesight in 2000.