PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS (PBR) AND VIKINGS’ JARED ALLEN JOIN FORCES TO BRING HOMES TO WOUNDED WARRIORS

Partnership is a new venture for Allen and supports his H4WW Charity

Minnesota Vikings defensive endJared Allen’s casual foray into the world of bull riding has become the Professional Bull Riders latest venture and makes the five-time NFL Pro Bowler the newest member of the PBR’s corporate family.  

Allen and the PBR are embarking on a partnership to benefit Jared Allen’sHomes for Wounded Warriors (H4WW), the charity Allen established in 2009 to provide new handicap-accessible homes and remodels to wounded veterans, who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan.  The PBR/Jared Allen project officially kicks off when the PBR Built Ford Tough Series resumesits season with the Express Employment Professionals Classic, Aug. 16-17, at Bok Center in Tulsa, Okla.

Since 2012, Allen has worked with the PBR as the owner of three bulls currently competing on the sport’s elite Built Ford Tough Series – H4WW Hot Iron, H4WW HY Test and H4WW Thumbs Up. With his bull’s handler, Minnesota stock contractor Matt Scharping, Allen has raised more than $100,000 to date from semen straw auctions, grassroots bull riding events and event winnings.  

The association has also brought desired national and international awareness to H4WW.

“Just having bulls bucking in the PBR with our foundation name attached to them is a great opportunity,” said Allen. “We’ve developed some greattraction and are continuing to grow, always looking for ways we can expand.”

Allen’s partnership with the PBR has evolved into a three-prong initiative.The PBR and Allen will promote and produce several high-profile bullriding events, donating the proceeds to H4WW’s custom home projects.

The two have also developed a text-to-win program which will drive donations for H4WW at Built Ford Tough Series events.  When Hot Iron, HY Test and Thumbs Up enter the arena, event attendees will be encouraged to text “WARRIOR” to “80088” along with their donations.

Branded merchandise rounds out the partnership.  Plush bulls representingAllen’s H4WW PBR stock, t-shirts and baseball caps will be a part of the line which launches this fall in conjunction with the resumption of the 2013 Built Ford Tough Series.

“PBR and H4WW have a natural tie-in; they stand for some of the same principles, God and country,” Allen said. “The fact that I can merge my interests to the benefit of both is great.”  

Allen was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up on a ranch in Morgan Hill, Calif.  He still dabbles in roping – hence the calf roping celebration after his NFL sacks – and even got bucked off the back of a few cows when he was 5 years old.  

“This is a great match,” said Allen.  “I’ve attended a few PBR events this year, pulled ropes for a few of the cowboys before their rides and took care of my bulls.  It’s cool to get back into that world a little bit.”  

“The intensity and enthusiasm with which Jared approaches everything in life is addictive,” said Sean Gleason, chief operating officer of the PBR. “His dedication to H4WW and genuine interest in the PBR has helped us develop a program that will fulfill his needs and bring much deserved support and attention to some very noble initiatives.  We are honored to count him among our valued partners in the bull business.”

About the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR)
The PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the PBR. In just two decades, the dream of 20 bull riders has become a global sports phenomenon that reaches more than half a billion households in 50 nations and territories worldwide. Its primetime programming, produced by 34-time Emmy® Award winner and Peabody Award winner David Neal, airs domestically on CBS and CBS Sports Network. More than 2.5 million fans attend live events each year. The PBR has awarded more than $120 million in prize money and 25 riders have earned more than $1 million, including Justin McBride with $5.5 million – the most of any western-sports athlete in history. For more information on the PBR, go to PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, Twitter at Twitter.com/PBR and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.

About Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors

Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors is a non-profit organization created for the sole purpose of raising money to build or modify the homes of America's injured Military Veterans. H4WW helps to build or modify homes so they are handicap accessible and comfortable for our wounded vets.

Homes for Wounded Warriors was formed in October of 2009 by the MN Viking Jared Allen after he returned home from his USO trip to US Military Bases in the Middle East. Jared Allen was moved by the commitment, dedication, and sacrifices that our soldiers make every day to protect our freedom. He wanted to say thank you to every soldier in the only way that Jared Allen knows how. By embracing the conflict and making a positive life-changing difference in the lives of those who need it most, Jared and his H4WW will help make life for wounded vets just a little bit easier. For more information please visit www.homesforwoundedwarriors.com

Media Contact:

Hillary Herskowitz/AM|PR hillary@nyc.rr.com 917.279.9574

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