John Lentini wins the Ad Meter 2021 Big Game Sweepstakes

We have a winner!

Ad Meter panelist one day, Big Game Sweepstakes winner the next.

While there will be nearly a year’s worth of wondering and guessing which teams will punch the coveted ticket to Los Angeles for Super Bowl LVI — not to mention who will sing the national anthem, perform during halftime, and, of course, which brands will hit pop-cultural pay dirt with the top commercials — we do know one thing.

John Lentini and his wife, Joanna, will be there to take in the experience. Lentini is the winner of the Big Game Sweepstakes, selected among thousands of panelists who rated the commercials in USA TODAY Ad Meter’s commercial class of 2021.

“You gotta be kidding me …” John paused in perfect, happy disbelief when notified of the news by phone. “That’s incredible!”

In conjunction with USA TODAY Ad Meter, the Pro Football Hall of Fame provides the grand prize winner a travel package to next year’s Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, plus extraordinary access to star-studded events during the week leading up to the big game.

From the Merlin Olsen luncheon, which Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has called “one of the best events during Super Bowl Week,” to the VIP Tailgate Party hosted by Emmitt Smith, it’s a parade of NFL legends and big-name celebrities, complemented with top-shelf food and drinks.

Such a rush of possibilities tempts the imagination, of course. For John, it might be a chance to meet Barry Sanders, one of his favorite Hall of Famers, who transformed the running back position. Joanna, who is a writer and photographer, now has a blank canvas awaiting her creativity.

So which team would John most like to see run out onto the field next year?

“Well,” he sighed, “I’m a Giants fan, so we’ll see. It could be the [Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers], if I had to guess, actually.”

The current hardship of being a Big Blue fan aside, don’t overlook the New York resident’s predictions. John did he pick the Bucs to win this year, based on respect for Tom Brady and “what he’s accomplished.” Plus, his favorite commercials —  Jeep’s “The Middle,” Tide’s “The Jason Alexander Hoodie,” and Doritos’ “Flat Matthew” — all landed in the top 15 of this year’s commercial class.

Beyond the culmination of his fun-filled Ad Meter experience, John’s backstory makes this grand-prize tale even more special. He advocates seizing the day, a carpe diem mentally that has grown from life lessons which have shaped his unique journey — including the unimaginable experience of working on the 80th floor of 2 World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

It was from that challenging moment that he decided to travel and see the world, including living abroad.

(Photo credit: Joanna Lentini)

In the decades since that harrowing day, he’s championed younger generations to persevere through adversity and life’s roadblocks. To get out and see it all.

As he eloquently wrote to his high school’s Class of 2020: Travel is another one of life’s truly great teachers.

So with that in mind, John and Joanna — congratulations, and enjoy the Big Game Sweepstakes learning experience in 2022!

Ad Meter 2021 Big Game Sweepstakes

The Pro Football Hall Of Fame is offering Ad Meter panelists a chance at winning an experience of a lifetime in 2022.

The Pro Football Hall Of Fame is offering Ad Meter panelists a chance at winning an experience of a lifetime in 2022.

Longstanding for honoring the heroes of the game and focusing on excellence, the incredible opportunity will include interacting with some of the legends of football, while watching the next generations of Hall of Fame greats on the biggest stage: next year at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

That’s right—the Big Game!

Here are the Sweepstakes details:

1. Two (2) tickets for the Big Game scheduled to occur February 6, 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Which teams will it be—possibly your favorite?!

2. Two (2) tickets to the Merlin Olsen luncheon.

Described by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones as “one of the best events during Super Bowl Week”, the Grand Prize Winner and Guest will get to mingle with NFL legends and big-name celebrities during the star-studded event.

Previous attendees include Emmitt Smith, Joe Namath, Michael Strahan, Jon Bon Jovi, and Robert Kraft.

3. Two (2) tickets to the VIP Tailgate Party.

Hosted by Emmitt Smith, attendees will enjoy gourmet food as well as a top-shelf, premium open bar, plus a few other unique and incredible experiences:

  • Current Player, Alumni & Gold Jacket Appearances
  • Roundtable Q&A with Hall of Famers, Alumni & Current Players
  • Photo Opportunities & Player Meet & Greets
  • Saturday Gold Jacket Autograph Session

Travel to the game and accommodations:

The Grand Prize Winner and Guest will be provided with round-trip coach-class air transportation, originating from and concluding at the commercial airport nearest the Grand Prize Winner’s primary residence within the continental United States to an airport in or around Inglewood, California.

  • Note: If the Grand Prize Winner lives within two hundred (200) miles from Inglewood, California, ground transportation may be substituted in lieu of air transportation at the sole discretion of the Sponsors.

Plus, there will be four (4) nights of hotel room accommodations (one-room, double–occupancy) at a hotel chosen by Sponsors in or around Inglewood, California for the dates February 3, 2022 (check-in) until February 7, 2022 (check-out).

Sound like fun?

Entering the Sweepstakes is simple and free for Ad Meter participants—see full rules and details here.

And fans of the game, don’t forget to check out the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio—the ultimate destination for sports fans.

Considered “the most inspiring place on Earth,” the Hall has something for the entire family, from the Lombardi Trophy and A Game For Life Theater to the Hunt and Casterline Card Collection and impressive display of Super Bowl Championship Rings, plus so much more.

Take the Virtual Tour below to see some of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s history of the game and interactive experiences that will create lasting memories and make football fun for everyone!

Virtual Tour