As the 2011 season started, the people at Guinness asked all of us here at the Phinsider a simple question - who was our boldest fan? And, the answer was even simpler - Ohio Fin Fan For Life easily claimed the top spot as our boldest fan.
But, the story doesn't end with the announcement made on the site back then. Far from it.
A couple of days after the announcement on the site, OFF4L continued over to the Facebook side of the contest, and filled out the questionnaire located over there. Answering questions like "How BOLD a fan are you?" Ohio explained how he wears Dolphins face paint to every game - home and away, or "How committed are you?" to which he explained he leaves his home in Ohio every year for the last five years, to travel to Miami to catch as much of the season as he can. After finishing the entry, he was notified that winners of the contest would be announced in December, with the prizes given out then.
Well, on December 12, Ohio was notified by email and phone that he had indeed been declared a winner in the contest. But, he's not just A winner. He's one of five Grand Prize winners.
So, what does he get? We'll, let's look at the timeline for the prize he has received. He flies next Friday to Indianapolis for three nights, before flying home on Monday. What's happening in Indy next weekend? Oh, yeah - the Super Bowl!
Ohio will be in attendance at the announcement of the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, and will attend a ceremony honoring him as one of the boldest fans in the country.
And, maybe the scariest part of the prize is that a bronze bust is being made of Ohio. That's right. Guinness is making a bronze bust of him - just like a Hall of Fame bust - to be displayed in the Guinness Boldest Fan display in the Hall of Fame. Yep. In the building housing the busts of Dan Marino, Don Shula, Bob Griese, Paul Warfield, Dwight Stephenson, Larry Csonka, Jim Langer, Larry Little, and Nick Buoniconti, there will now be a bust of OFF4L. Kind of freaky, isn't it?
Even through all of the excitement, Ohio never faltered in remembering that it was you, the Phinsider readers, who started him on the path to land this dream award. On the bust, Ohio had them put:
GUINNESS BOLDEST FAN IN THE GAME
GRIFFIN VAN NEST AKA OFF4L
So, as you enjoy all the festivities of this upcoming week, just remember, one of our own, and wifey, is getting to experience it firsthand. And, it's thanks to all of you. Congratulations Giffin!
9 recs | 98 comments
So, was it worth the build up?
Kevin Nogle - January 29, 2012
yupp!
I’ve been here for the last 10 minutes… waiting….
im gonna read it now, lol
finzrule - January 29, 2012
Definitely! Wow... just wow!
Alpha6 - January 29, 2012
HELL YEAH!!!!!
Strange - January 29, 2012 via mobile
cool!
congrats, Ohio!
finzrule - January 29, 2012
This is what we've been waiting for!?
Burn this site!
Nah Just kidding.
Congratz Ohio…you deserve it.
Kdog92 - January 29, 2012
hahaha f'n awesome
ricenbeans82 - January 29, 2012
Thats awesome
Congrats Ohio.
PhinsAllDay - January 29, 2012 via mobile
now that i read it... OMG OHIO that awesome!!!
finzrule - January 29, 2012
See?!?!
Told you you didn’t want to miss this story.
Kevin Nogle - January 29, 2012
my only question...
why wasn’t this announced earlier… if he was informed in mid-december?
finzrule - January 29, 2012
We've been getting all the details together.
It took up until recently for everything to be finalized and for exactly what OFF4L would be doing. He gets his final itinerary tomorrow.
Kevin Nogle - January 29, 2012
oooooh, okay
you kept this info from leaking pretty well, I must say
finzrule - January 29, 2012
I try.
Kevin Nogle - January 29, 2012
lol
it also would have been cool if no one said anything and then see how many people realized it during the Super Bowl
finzrule - January 29, 2012
absolutely , totally awesome, and I can't think of a better person to have this honor,
for all you do for us on the site, for the fans and the dolphin organization , thank you griff, and congratulations .
daytonadolfan - January 29, 2012
this^^^
finzrule - January 29, 2012
And we expect a whole lot of pictures , lol
daytonadolfan - January 29, 2012
rec'd this as much as possible, so it stay's front page. ummmmmm does bronze come in aqua and orange?
daytonadolfan - January 29, 2012
you sure know how to hold a secret mosul
ricenbeans82 - January 29, 2012
lol
Thanks.
Kevin Nogle - January 29, 2012
It's all that govt, training , lol
daytonadolfan - January 29, 2012
Congrats
And if you want a sponsor, Mcdonald’s will support you if you double as Ronald-lol. Congratulations!
miamimike71 - January 29, 2012
AMAMZING Congrats OFF4L...
Your a hall of fame fan, that rocks!!!!
Hollywood Dolfan - January 29, 2012
OMG! And I know this guy. This is stupendous! Marvelous! Out-of-this-World fabulous!
OFF4L, this is monumental! Congratulations!
No one better deserving… well done.
And thank you for all you do….
Alpha6 - January 29, 2012
THAT IS SO AWESOME!!!!!
Congrats, bud. Nobody is more deserving of this honor than OFF4L. I’m so thrilled for you.
I hope you and the wife soak it all in and enjoy it!!
Matty I - January 29, 2012
... a Matty sighting!
Alpha6 - January 29, 2012
beat me to it...
…i was gonna say that, lol
finzrule - January 29, 2012
And a visit from the great matty, now it's official !! good to see ya matty.
daytonadolfan - January 29, 2012
lol
thanks.
I saw this and HAD to congratulate OFF4L. Awesome honor.
Matty I - January 29, 2012
We bow in your presence.
Kevin Nogle - January 29, 2012
Please...
I should bow in your presence. Your work and dedication has already taken this site to another level.
But I’ll take any bow I can get. lol
Matty I - January 29, 2012
... you forgot the L in bow....
lol
Alpha6 - January 29, 2012
That was Matty's second place finish as Phinsider Founder...
Bacon is on the way to deliver the
blowaward.Finhead83 - January 29, 2012
No...
Strange - January 29, 2012 via mobile
He forgot the Te in bow...
Strange - January 29, 2012 via mobile
hey, look who decided to show up!
how you been matty? you should check in more often, i thought you had forgotten about us!
AnishB15 - January 29, 2012 via mobile
OMG...He's risen from the dead!
Great to see you again Matty…how’s life treating ya?
Kdog92 - January 29, 2012
from the dead? seems like something I'd be aware of. lol
Everything’s good. Been busy. Spent last week in Boston for work. Sucked being around those damn Pats fans. But that’s life.
Matty I - January 29, 2012
well that is good
Kdog92 - January 29, 2012
Hey, who's this guy?Thanks for gracing us with your presence, sah!
DolphinNation - January 29, 2012
lol
Matty I - January 29, 2012
thats more epic then the rocky statue in philly
ricenbeans82 - January 29, 2012
awesome!
54 - January 29, 2012
Awesome news for Griff. Congrats OFFL4L. Well deserved. Can't wait for the photo post documenting all of this.
TheFinReaper - January 29, 2012
Way to go OHIO becoming one of the 5 Grand Prize winners........
Hope you and your wife wins it all, and enjoy the trip. Congratulations again
phinfansc1980 - January 29, 2012
wow... congrats man
#1Heatfan - January 29, 2012
Congrats!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh78T—ZUxY
I'm_an_F18_bro - January 29, 2012
funny !
Ohiofinfan4life - January 29, 2012
wow congrats
super bowl tix and getting inducted into the hall thats like a dream
AnishB15 - January 29, 2012 via mobile
Well deserved Griff!
Congratulations on this man. You have been a great inspiration to all Dolphans, and VERY deserving of this. Those douchebags crying about you not wearing your war paint can suck your bronze… Bust. Lol.
Sharkz_N_Phinz - January 29, 2012 via Android app
oh yeah, make sure you get the face paint on the bust off4l
AnishB15 - January 29, 2012 via mobile
omg!!!
that is awesome!!!! OFF4L is the boldest of bold
Tison M - January 29, 2012
Congrats OFF4L!!
If you never been to Indy, you need to try to go to St. Elmo’s. It’s the best restaurant in town (get the shrimp cocktail). It will be busy, but knowing you, you will find a way!
ct1361 - January 29, 2012
Honestly don't know anyone that deserves it more. Congrats!
and MAKE SURE YOU TAKE PICTURES!
insainsiren - January 29, 2012
Congrats OFF4L
What an amazing honor. The prize ain’t too shabby either. I can’t wait for the (anticipated) Fanpost from you, documenting the experience. Well deserved buddy!
DolphinNation - January 29, 2012
Great googly moogly, as with all legendary hero's there must be a bust.Thx Griffin with an i you are 1 in a million err 35 million!
wild zion beaver - January 29, 2012
Nobody on the planet is more Deserving. Nobody....
Congratulations, Ohio. Safe trip, man…
Brantner78 - January 29, 2012
If I could rec this 1000 times, I would.
DolphinNation - January 29, 2012
Yup
Grats OFF4L!
Neo - January 29, 2012
Congrats Griff!
A great honor
Rytackle - January 29, 2012
Freakin' AWESOME and so well deserved !
haildanhenningnow - January 29, 2012
That's so cool
I really hope the pats don’t win now, nothing would spoil such an amazing trip and prize. Well I guess the Jests being in the Superbowl would be worse but we took care of them ; ), anyways congrats!
Maguss - January 29, 2012
Congrats OFF4L...
Well deserved award!!
Jason Scott_90 - January 29, 2012
Congrats OFF4L!!
scorp - January 29, 2012
Congrats
i cant afford to go to any of the games or events held by the Miami Dolphins and thanks to OFF4L I actually know what some of my favorite Dolphins look like. I am on this site more then 3 times a day just see if he has gotten any more pic, and of course to learn as much as i can about the Dolphins.
2nd Gen Phin Fan - January 29, 2012
Congrats OFF4L
The boldest fan of any sport. Well deserved.
NawlinsPhinFan - January 29, 2012
this is the big news?
who cares….this is why this site has gone to hell. Nothing to do with football news
Kevin13 - January 29, 2012
please tell me you missed the sarcasm boxdaytonadolfan - January 29, 2012
I really hoped he missed the sarcasm box
Rytackle - January 29, 2012
I will assume he did because I prefer to remain optimistic
about my fellow man
Strange - January 29, 2012 via mobile
I know....
I never have any football related stuff on here at all.Thanks for playing.
Kevin Nogle - January 29, 2012
slacker!!!daytonadolfan - January 29, 2012
Really?
texascowpunk - January 30, 2012
Damn!
Its very well deserved! I thoroughly enjoy all of his posts and pics. . .Thats a DREAM come true for ANY fan!!!! Wow, just. . .wow!
NJPhin - January 29, 2012
Thanks everyone for the kind words,.....it means a lot.
Is it wrong that I “rec’ed” a post about myself ???? If it is,…too bad. I did it anyways,…lol.
Ohiofinfan4life - January 29, 2012
SPEACH! SPEACH! SPEACH!
Sharkz_N_Phinz - January 29, 2012 via Android app
funny you should say that,....
I"ll post something tonight on the matter,….
Ohiofinfan4life - January 29, 2012
congrats.....i always share your story and your pics and the passion your wife shares with you...with my wife....
i knew you were a special kind of fan, and one that represented the passion of all dolphins fans but i never imagined you would get the accolades you have just received….wow…..congrats ohio, my wife will trip out over this one…..
don’t forget your camera during your trip to indy….. :)
MagicDolphin - January 29, 2012
Wow. That's awesome. Pays off for making all those trips from Ohio!
BahamaDolfan - January 29, 2012
You're the fan most of us wish we were!!
Die-hard, true-to-the-team, non-bandwagon-esque, straight unadulterated Miami Dolphin through and through!! A lesson in fanhood exemplified by a pro!
Great job OFF4L and my sincerest congrats, buddy!!
CanT0o - January 29, 2012
Congratulations! A truly wonderful and deserving accomplishment!
The Earl - January 29, 2012
congrats OFF4L!
Dolphins fan who lives in Indianapolis right here! The city is awesome right now and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have these past couple of days! You should definitely make a trip to the NFL Experience when you get here. I went through it yesterday and there was so much to look at. I will post some pictures for everyone.
DaBlizad260 - January 29, 2012
Nobody does it better !!!! In my best Carly Simon James bond singing voice !!!!!
CONGRATS BROTHER !!! Long live OHIO !!!!
Dolphinator - January 29, 2012
Good Deal
However, I can’t help but think, that a bust of you’re HOT ASS wife would be a lot more pleasing to the eye. Just saying buddy, no disrespect intended, but come on.
TheCableguy - January 29, 2012
Congrats!
Nice to see something good happen to someone for a change!
cordy_1971 - January 29, 2012
WOW! Grif I told you more than once that you were my hero.
Couldn’t of happened to a better person.
Congrats man!
Dolfan88 - January 29, 2012
Great to see in our fin nation. especially off4l.
So………there’s atleast one other guy in OHIO I like then!
Youngstown_Phinatic - January 29, 2012
a much well deserved award if i do say so myself. much like others here i to cant get to the games live.. so i live the experiance thru griffs photos.. i am so glad that our votes helped make this happen. no i feel like i haven given back to him in a tiny little way that he has given to me in every single post he makes. thank you griff for all you do for us here and for this team we love so much.
as my great grand pappy use to say: a true man is seen thru his actions and his heart not by his words
you my friend are a true man.. and i am honored to know you
animal2020 - January 29, 2012
Couldnt think of a better candidate for this...
Congrats Ohio!!
el presidente 00 - January 29, 2012
GRIFF!!!!!
So cool.
Strange - January 29, 2012 via mobile
holy crap!
dude, congrats
MiamihastheDolphins.... - January 29, 2012
As a Fellow DEEP END Member!! WAY TO GO GRIFF!!!!
As all who have said before..NO one deserves it more!! Griff…YOU ARE DA MAN!!! Love Ya Brother!! Have a GREAT TIME!! Get me a shot of the DOLPHINS INDY CAR!!! We expect a FULL REPORT from you on the AMAZING experience!! You are the true meaning of FANDEMONIUM!!!
Ralph Lanier Jr. - January 30, 2012
Thanks Ralph,....
I’m pretty sure I can manage to take a few photos,…..
Ohiofinfan4life - January 30, 2012
When i first saw it I was thinking ooo wonder what it is
then i had to work all sunday and it kind of slipped my mind until just now.
Must say, that is pretty damn awesome and worth the build up! Keep representin’ OFF4L
DolfinPhan - January 30, 2012
Simply incredible.
Well deserved! Congrats Ohio!
Agumen - January 30, 2012
Amazing news Ohio! Way to go brother! Now we need to see that pic of the real Griff next to the bronze version
inside of the actual HOF!
texascowpunk - January 30, 2012
congrats broseph!
Patssuck456 - February 5, 2012
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