Tony Dorsett participating in zany promotional scheme at Prestige Ford in Garland

by Mike Orren

Garland — Over the e-transom comes this publicity stunt:

The owner of one of the area's largest Ford dealerships, Tony Ellis of Prestige Ford in Garland, is announcing one of the biggest local car dealer promotions in recent years. On hand will be former Dallas star football player Tony Dorsett, who will predict the final score of the football game on Christmas day between Dallas' favorite professional team and those snow birds from the East.

Ellis said Prestige Ford will make the payments on all Ford vehicles, sedans or trucks, bought at Prestige Ford between now and December 23. According to Ellis, the score predicted by Tony Dorsett must match exactly the final score of the game played on Christmas day to have a winner or winners.

To qualify to have your payments made, the vehicle purchase must be made prior to 6:00 p.m. December 23rd. Those who do not purchase a car or truck from Prestige Ford can still visit the dealership and place their name in a pot for a drawing, where one lucky winner will receive $12,000 in cash if Dorsett's prediction is accurate.

To participate in the vehicle payments promotion, a purchase of any in-stock 2006 or 2007 model vehicle must be made, using the Red Carpet Option, Red Carpet Lease, or its equivalent, with financing obtained through the dealership, for up to a 24 or 36-month term. Or, they may purchase pre-owned vehicles from Prestige that is a 2003 or newer model, with financing obtained through dealership sources, for up to a 36-month period.

Ellis said the promotion awards are guaranteed by Lloyds of London Insurance Company. Entrants must be 18-years old or over, and possess a valid driver's license to qualify. The promotion is open to legal U.S. residents, residing within 250 miles of Prestige Ford. Not eligible to participate are employees, officers and directors of Prestige Ford, End Results, Inc., Million Dollar Media, their respective affiliated companies, subsidiaries, distributors, dealers, retailers, printers, advertising and promotion agencies, and any and all other companies associated with this contest and the members of their immediate families or households, whether or not related, to any of the aforementioned.

Complete rules and details are available at the dealership

I'm guessing that Tony will predict a score of 1-0 with Drew Bledsoe winning the game in the clutch.

Poor Tony. I can't find any record that he's got an interest in the dealership, so I'm going to guess that he's still recovering from bankruptcy. At least Troy Aikman's dealership isn't involved.

If this promotion sells a single car, it's proof of "Paper Collar" Joe Bessimer's wisdom.

What's next? NFL stars dancing like MC Hammer on national TV?