DALLAS -- The votes are in, and the winner of the "2010 GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year" goes to DeSean Jackson, wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles. ESPN's Mike Tirico and two-time Super Bowl champion Deion Sanders presented the trophy to Jackson at the Super Bowl XLV Media Center Wednesday as part of this week's festivities. Jackson's Week 15 performance earned 24 percent of total fan votes for eight finalists at www.NFL.com/GMC. After being hobbled by a foot injury that week, Jackson improbably returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the Eagles' comeback victory over the New York Giants.
"That was the first time in my career that I ever ended a game with a touchdown. I'm just very blessed to be in that position," Jackson said upon accepting the award Wednesday. "Everybody's calling it 'The New Miracle at the Meadowlands,' so I'm just honored to accept this award.
"I couldn't have done it without my teammates and my special teams coach. Jason Avant, he kind of threw himself in there to make a huge block to knock out the snapper to get me into the end zone. It's a great opportunity for me. Thank you for the support and to GMC."
Added Craig Bierley, GMC Advertising and Sales Promotion director: "Jackson's big play perfectly demonstrated the Never Say Never attitude that drives the NFL's best players. It's the same attitude we at GMC bring to work every day to design, build and sell the professional grade vehicles we know our customers want and value."
Jackson wasn't the only winner. In addition, participating fan Robin Phillips of Chico, Texas, was selected at random to win a 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD, the first offering of the premium Denali line on a heavy-duty GMC pickup. GMC is the official vehicle of the NFL.
"This lucky fan is the latest to find out what the Sierra Denali HD is all about," said Bierley. "This powerful pickup blends Denali's premium features and styling with the Duramax-enabled capability that customers all over truck country have come to expect from GMC."
Donation of Super Bowl Tickets Scores Points for United Way GMC donated 70 Super Bowl XLV tickets to United Way Worldwide to help advance the organization's youth health and wellness goals. The online auction phase of 64 tickets netted $249,000. Phase Two of the United Way auction will include three pairs of tickets to be auctioned live at The NFL Experience at the Dallas Convention Center on Saturday, February 5.
All of the proceeds will go to United Way Worldwide to support the NFL and United Way Hometown Huddle -- a league-wide day of hands-on community service projects designed to give kids more opportunities to get active and healthy.
Now in its 37th year, the NFL-United Way partnership connects NFL PLAY 60 with United Way's goal to increase youth health and wellness. Studies show the obesity rate among children has nearly doubled in the last 10 years, with approximately 9 million American children over 6 years old considered obese and at high risk for health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
"GMC recognizes how important it is to raise awareness about the issue of childhood obesity and to create new opportunities for young people to lead healthier lifestyles," Bierley said. "By working with the NFL and United Way, GMC is helping make communities stronger."
The eight finalists were selected among 17 of the most memorable moments during the 2010 NFL season. Each week, three nominees were chosen for the GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week and NFL fans voted for the winner on NFL.com.
A closer look at the nominees:
FINALIST 1, Week 4: Roddy White forces a fumble
Trailing 14-13, Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan threw an interception with less than two minutes remaining in the game. But Atlanta received new life after WR Roddy White hustled to force 49ers CB Nate Clements to fumble during the return. The Falcons recovered and restarted the drive at their own 7-yard line, allowing Ryan to lead Atlanta to a last-second field goal for its second straight dramatic win.
FINALIST 2, Week 5: Jason Campbell leads Oakland to the win
Benched in Week 2, Oakland Raiders QB Jason Campbell waited patiently for a second chance. He got it on Sunday when QB Bruce Gradkowski suffered an injury at the end of the first quarter. Campbell answered the call by leading two long touchdown drives, including the game-winner with less than four minutes to play, giving the Raiders their first victory over the Chargers since 2003.
FINALIST 3, Week 6: Deion Branch sparks a comeback win in return to New England
Nine-year veteran Deion Branch proved you can go home again. Traded by the rebuilding Seahawks back to the Patriots, Branch produced his best game in three years in a hard-fought 23-20 win over the visiting Ravens. Branch finished with 9 receptions for 98 yards, including a critical fourth-quarter touchdown catch, and almost looked like he had never left.
FINALIST 4, Week 10: David Garrard's prayer answered in miracle finish
With the game tied, 24-24, the Jacksonville Jaguars were down to one play, and only a miracle could prevent overtime. Jaguars QB David Garrard dialed up a Hail Mary pass, took the snap with three seconds left, heaved it from his own 45-yard line, and watched it bounce off a Houston defender and into the hands of WR Mike Thomas, giving the Jaguars a win and keeping their hopes alive in the AFC South.
FINALIST 5, Week 11: Ryan Fitzpatrick directs Buffalo to a largest comeback in 13 years
One week after their first victory, things looked bleak again for the Bills, who trailed on the road by 17 points at halftime. But Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn't ready to quit. Fitzpatrick threw three second-half touchdowns to WR Steve Johnson, leading Buffalo to 35 unanswered points and a 49-31 win over the Cincinnati Bengals for its biggest comeback win since 1997.
FINALIST 6, Week 13: Troy Polamalu's sack-fumble leads to a game-winning score
In a battle for first place in the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens led the Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-6, with just over three minutes remaining the fourth quarter. On second down, S Troy Polamalu came off the edge and sacked Ravens QB Joe Flacco, causing a fumble that was picked up by LB LaMarr Woodley and returned to the Ravens' 9 yard-line. QB Ben Roethlisberger then found RB Isaac Redman for a 9-yard TD to give the Steelers the lead en route to a 13-10 victory.
FINALIST 7, Week 15: DeSean Jackson seals the Eagles' miracle comeback
After trailing 31-10 to the New York Giants with 7:28 remaining, the Philadelphia Eagles fought back and tied the game, which seemed destined for overtime. But WR DeSean Jackson would have none of it. Hobbled by a foot injury all week, Jackson returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the game, giving the Eagles an improbable victory.
FINALIST 8, Week 16: Tim Tebow leads Broncos' comeback
Broncos QB Tim Tebow might have convinced some folks that he is cut out for the NFL, after all. The rookie quarterback overcame deficits of 17 points at halftime and 13 in the fourth quarter to lead Denver to a 24-23 win over the Houston Texans. In the fourth quarter, Tebow passed for a touchdown, then won the game with a 6-yard rushing score.
About GMC
GMC has built trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands. Today GMC is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. The new GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks in the market. Innovation and engineering excellence are woven into all GMCs, including the Yukon and Yukon XL and full line of Sierra pickups. Today GMC is the only manufacturer offering three full-size hybrid trucks. Details on all GMC models are available at www.gmc.com, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at facebook.com/gmc.
