Brewery Owner Offers To Fly Super Bowl Cardboard Cutout To Tampa

Tampa FL

09 February, 2021

7:49 PM

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CLEARWATER, FL — Kansas City Chiefs fan "Frank" has been found. His real name is Clayton Whipple and he lives in Iowa. Whipple's cardboard cutout was in the seat next to Big Storm Brewing co-owner L.J. Govoni in section 232 on the Chiefs' sideline at the Super Bowl LV on Sunday. After taking photos, talking some good-natured smack with his new cardboard cutout friend, and exchanging high-fives and buying him a beer after the first Buccaneers touchdown, Govoni took to Twitter to discover the real identity of "Frank." "It was fun, but it would be even nicer to meet Frank in person and let him know his cardboard image had an unforgettable evening in Tampa," said Govoni, a longtime Bucs season ticket holder. In his tweet, Govoni offered "Frank" a free trip to Tampa to show him what he missed by not traveling to Super Bowl LV. On Tuesday, Govoni made contact with Whipple, a Chiefs fan, during a Zoom chat, and the two men shared a few laughs. Govoni also reiterated his offer to fly Whipple to Tampa. "It's been a difficult year and football has provided us with an escape and a way to bring us together, no matter what team you're cheering for," Govoni said. "In a normal year, maybe Frank would have been at the Super Bowl in person. So why not at least try and find him, offer him a free flight to Florida and show him some Tampa Bay hospitality." Courtesy Big Storm Brewing Frank Whipple of Iowa paid $100 to have a cardboard cutout of himself in the stands for the Super Bowl. Fans were able to pay $100 for a cardboard cutout of themselves and have them placed in a seat in the stands at Raymond James Stadium for the NFL's championship game. The cardboard cutouts served a dual purpose. They raised funds for the National Football League's charitable foundation and made sure that spectators remained socially distant. @nfl. Help me find my new friend "frank" this @Chiefs fan. Frank if u see this I want to fly you to Florida to have beers with w/ me at our brewery @BigStormBrewing. Come on @Twitter help me find "frank". Cc: @JoeBucsFan @KCStar @prestonrudie @tropicalupdate @GreatBayDist #sbLV pic.twitter.com/7jJgXiMDUi— LJ Govoni (@LJGovoni) February 7, 2021 "It's been a difficult year and football has provided us with an escape and a way to bring us together, no matter what team you're cheering for," Govoni said. "In a normal year, maybe Frank would have been at the Super Bowl in person. So why not at least try and find him, offer him a free flight to Florida and show him some Tampa Bay hospitality." Founded in 2012 in Pasco County, Big Storm currently has three taprooms in the Sunshine State — Clearwater, Odessa and Cape Coral. See related stories: Big Storm Brewing Captures Gold At U.S. Beer Open ChampionsSomething New Is Brewing At Big Storm: CoffeeBeer And Ice Cream? Big Storm In Clearwater Says It's A Natural