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The Jacksonville Jaguars have wholeheartedly changed how they interact with the community and the city of Jacksonville. On Tuesday afternoon the Jaguars and Mayor Alvin Brown announced the "STAND UNITED" partnership with the city during game weeks of Jaguars home games.
"The Jaguars are not just a team; they are a part of the heartbeat that strengthens our economy and quality of life throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida," Alvin Brown said at the press conference. "The Jaguars are part of who we are as a community, and I am proud to STAND UNITED with our team and our fans."
The team and city announced a STAND UNITED Friday on September 6, in preparation for the team to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs. City council, chamber, and team officials called for business owners to allow their employees to wear Jaguars colors and merchandise on Fridays to the work place
The group also asked for local businesses to sport STAND UNITED decals in their windows, which have been developed for Jacksonville businesses.
There were also be events leading up to home games this year, which include the following:
- A free STAND UNITED Fan Pep Rally at EverBank Field from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5 in the South End Zone and Bud Light Party Zone.
- A monthly STAND UNITED competition that invites First Coast businesses and schools to show how they are STANDING UNITED with the Jaguars on Fridays by submitting photos of how their business/school looks on STAND UNITED Fridays.
- The Jaguars will designate the Nov. 17 game against the Arizona Cardinals at EverBank Field as the team’s STAND UNITED Salute to Service military appreciation game. More than 5,000 members of the military will be invited to attend the game with their families.
- A region-wide scavenger hunt on Fridays prior to each Jaguars home game. The hunt is open to the public and participants will be given the chance to find Jaguars STAND UNITED helmets signed by Shad Khan, Gus Bradley and key players hidden at locations around the region.
- A program of region-wide bar appearances and promotions in 130 bars around Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Twenty bars will host official STAND UNITED Friday rallies throughout the 2013 NFL season that will feature visits from Jaxson de Ville, the ROAR and the D-Line.
- Citywide display of STAND UNITED: Fans will see Friendship Fountain turned teal each Friday, and the Jaguars are also promoting their 2013 schedule with bold signage in the Jacksonville airport with large floor clings, pull up banners and digital display ads.
"With all of the changes taking place at EverBank Field this off-season, we promise an exciting season for the Jaguars," said Jaguars president Mark Lamping. "Fan engagement and support is key to the success of the team on and off the field, and it is one of our top priorities for 2013. We’re looking forward to engaging with our fans, be it on social media, across the city or at EverBank Field."
Fans are encouraged to participate in the initiatives through social media using the #StandUnited hashtag.