Skip to main content

Modelo and Desmond Howard are giving away $100k to whoever has the most ‘soul’

Send in your "Fighting Spirit" submissions now

Face it: being a college football fan requires an intense commitment. Even before the season’s first ball is hiked, there are hours of research, numerous communications with fellow peers, required trash talk with rivals, gear to purchase, a schedule to study, and more.

To reward the fans who put in the most work, Desmond Howard is leading Modelo’s search for the “Fighting Spirit.” The fan that shows the most soul for their school will earn a $100,000 “salary” from the beer brewer. Howard will present the award at the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (the current home of Super Bowl winners, the L.A. Rams).

Desmond Howard on ESPN's College Gameday.
ESPN College Gameday

Modelo helped Howard to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his 1991 punt return against Ohio State, so the pair “decided to run it back this year.”

1991: "Hello, Heisman!" | Desmond Howard Strikes the Pose vs. Ohio State | The B1G Moment

“The thing that’s so attractive is that we always talk about the fighting spirit of teams, but there’s also the fighting spirit of faith. Modelo understands that, and they’re behind the fans 100%,” Howard said.

To take home the $100,000 fan salary, college football fans must prove to Howard and to Modelo why they should be the grand prize winner. They need to submit a photo and a 200-word (or fewer) essay about their work as a  “Full-Time Fan.” Modelo and Howard will judge the submissions based on originality, creativity, and overall enthusiasm that celebrates the theme of “Ultimate Fandom.”

What markers of supreme fandom will Howard be looking for?

“Hahaha… they have to figure it out themselves,” Howard said.

Despite not wanting to reveal what it is that will stick out individually for judges, Howard did open up a bit on what makes him continue to love the college game from his podium as a College Gameday commentator.

“I travel all over the country. And there are no fans like college football fans, bar none. They’re just absolutely the best,” Howard said.

During his playing career, Howard earned his highest accolades playing in two iconic football stadiums — The Big House at the University of Michigan and Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Even fanatic Cheeseheads can’t match up with the college spirit because of the nature of the sport.

“Both fan bases love to tailgate, but that love for college football, there’s such a youth about it that brings a different type of energy,” Howard said.

As to what the former wide receiver and deadly kick returner is looking forward to in the 2022-2023 season, it’s the early matches lying just a few short weeks away.

“I’m very excited about those big, marquee matchups very early in the season. It’s really good for college football and for the sport because that’s when even the casual fan may have interest,” Howard said. “You don’t have to be a Notre Dame fan, or Ohio State fan to want to watch that game.”

Before the late afternoon clash between the Irish and the Buckeyes, #11 Oregon will travel to play #3 Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens.

Between the start of the season, fans have until November 6 to shore up submissions. Applicants can enroll in the contest at modelousa.com/pages/collegefootball or scan QR codes found at bars and in stores nationally.

Editors' Recommendations

Matthew Denis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest…
CBD 101: A doctor tells us how to use CBD for sleep, anxiety, and pain
CBD is great for a variety of use-cases
CBD Hemp oil, Doctor holding a bottle of hemp oil, Medical marijuana products including cannabis leaf, cbd and hash oil, alternative medicine

In recent years, CBD (cannabidiol, for those of you wondering what does CBD stand for) has emerged as a popular natural remedy for a range of health concerns, from sleep disturbances and anxiety to chronic pain. But how do you use CBD effectively to address these issues? 

We spoke with Dr. Chris Adlakha of Elevated Wellness to get expert insights into the world of CBD. In this article, we'll explore what CBD is used for and provide guidance on its usage. 

Read more
What UFC champions Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling eat while cutting weight in fight week
Spoiler alert: There's a lot of protein
Chicken breast and broccoli

Whether you're a fan of mixed martial arts (MMA) or just curious about the behind-the-scenes routines of professional fighters, you might be wondering how UFC champions "Suga" Sean O'Malley and Aljamain "Funkmaster" Sterling get ready for fight week.

One slightly controversial part of their prep is cutting weight up to the fight. Weight cutting is a common practice in most combat sports and refers to dropping weight before a competition to compete in a specific weight class.

Read more
Shohei Ohtani all but gone, MLB franchise LA Angels may also lose Mike Trout: Report
Our GM hopes they both move to Chavez Ravine to play for The Dodgers
Shohei Otani playing baseball

The Los Angeles Angels may be on their way to a major team overhaul. Shohei Ohtani, who is one of the best and most innovative two-way players in the history of baseball, has already made it clear that he wants to leave the team, and now, news has broken suggested that Mike Trout, the team's other major star, could also be on his way out the door. Needless to say, losing both of their major stars could have an enormous impact on what the Angels look like moving forward.
Shohei Ohtani is almost definitely leaving
At the end of this season, during which Ohtani has been riddled with injuries, the phenom will be a free agent, and those closest to the league suggest that he's likely to sign with another team. Everyone from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the New York Mets is expected to pursue him this off-season for understandable reasons, and Ohtani has previously made it clear that he's not necessarily thrilled with the way this season has gone for the Angels, who are set to miss the playoffs completely.

Ohtani has yet to formalize any sort of deal with another team, but the question seems to be more about where he'll end up than whether he'll stay with the Angels. The team did choose to hold onto him past the trade deadline, a move they say they don't regret, so it's still possible that the two sides find some way to come to an agreement. In all likelihood, though, Ohtani's time with the Angels is done, and he'll be in a new uniform when the next season starts.

Read more