Big Storm Brewing Owner Meets Cardboard Cutout Super Bowl Fan

CLEARWATER, FL — When the Super Bowl took place in Tampa Feb. 7, only 25,000 fans were allowed in Raymond James Stadium to watch the Bucs vs. the Chiefs (about a third of the stadium's capacity) due to the coronavirus pandemic.

To ensure social distancing, the NFL filled the empty seats with life-size cardboard cutout photos of fans who paid $100 for the privilege of a virtual seat at the big game with proceeds going to charity.

Among the virtual fans was "Frank," so-named by real-life fan, L.J. Govoni, owner of the Big Storm Brewing Co. based in Clearwater, who was seated next to the cardboard cutout during the Super Bowl.

As the game progressed, Govoni good-naturedly tweeted photos of himself with Frank, who was obviously a Kansas City Chiefs fan since he wore a Chiefs jersey in his cardboard cutout photo. Govoni even bought Frank a beer when the Bucs made the first touchdown.

Govoni's tweets made their way to Des Moines, Iowa, 1,300 miles away, where Clayton Whipple saw the cardboard cutout of himself enjoying the game with Govoni.

After the game, Govoni and Whipple hooked up over Zoom, and Govoni offered to fly Whipple, his wife and two sons to Florida.

Three months later, Govoni made good on his promise, thanks to Allegiant Airlines.

When Allegiant Airlines found out about the long-distance Super Bowl friendship, the airlines offered the Whipples free airfare. The Whipples arrived at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport on Friday, April 30 to fanfare worthy of Super Bowl champs.

The following day, the Whipples were welcomed to Big Storm Brewing Co. by Govoni and his employees, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders, a high school marching band, local luminaries and pop-up "Frank" cutouts photographed around town.

Related story: Brewery Owner Offers To Fly Super Bowl Cardboard Cutout To Tampa