FAQ
What is this site for?
To read more about my girlfriend, help get attention for my quest and to give folks an idea of who I really am.
What is The Big Game?
Come on. You know. Don’t make me spell it out for you. They’re very picky about who is allowed to use their copyrighted phrase…but let’s just say it contains the words “bowl” and “super.”
What is your ad about?
I’m going to use the platform of The Big Game and its 130 million viewers to perform the most public declaration of love in the history of mankind. I’m going to propose to my girlfriend.
Isn’t advertising time during The Big Game expensive?
Yes. Very. It will cost me somewhere between $2 and $2.5 million. And I don’t make anywhere near that much, which is why I would need help to succeed.
Wow…that seems like a lot of money.
Yeah, it is. And…to be honest, at this point, the full fund will go to the charity (see my update on The Story for more)
How can I help spread the word?
Oh, I’m so glad you asked! There are many ways. You can tell people about the site. You can e-mail friends about the site. You can submit this website to social bookmarking sites, link to it on your MySpace page, and a host of other things. You can click on the top tab called T-shirts & Other Stuff and go to our CafePress store and buy a t-shirt. Heck, you can stand on the street with a sandwich board on, charter a sky-writing plane, or start a website promoting this web site! The possibilities are endless!
What’s in it for me?
The unmistakable, warm-fuzzy feeling at having helped make a romantic proclamation of love possible. The knowledge that you played a role in making it happen. My sincere thanks, expressed on this site as well as during the ad. Good karma.
What’s in it for you?
For me? Well, the chance to go on record as the guy who made the world’s most public wedding proposal. More importantly…the hand of my lady, promised in marriage. The chance to give her a one-of-a-kind proposal that will only barely equal the treatment she deserves. The chance to accomplish something so unthinkably cool and impossible that the sheer creativity and effort involved becomes the gesture of my love.
What if I have a question that isn’t covered in this FAQ?
There is a Contact tab at the top of this page that will give you a means to e-mail me with your question.
Comments»
I would be more interested in donating if, in the event that you didn’t reach your goal, you planned on giving the money to a charity or some non profit organization.
I would like to see a proposal at the superbowl, but if it didn’t happen I don’t want to be paying for some lame trip to Las Vegas or something.
That is actually an outstanding idea.
I officially declare that if we do not raise enough money to buy the ad time for the Super Bowl Proposal, proceeds will instead be donated to charity.
Hmmm. What charity, you ask? Well, I’m going with the local favorite of mine, the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
From their website: “Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital was created to give children a place to hope and a place to heal. Our focus on research, education and advocacy allows us to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art care delivered in a nurturing, family-centered environment. It’s the only way we know how to treat children and the families that love them.
Ranked as one of the 10 best children’s hospitals and in the top 10 for pediatric cancer care in the nation by Child magazine, Vanderbilt Children’s cares for many of the sickest pediatric patients in the region and beyond.
Vanderbilt Children’s is the most comprehensive Children’s Hospital in the state, providing services from cancer treatments, organ and bone marrow transplants to broken legs and everything in between.
We treat all children—Vanderbilt Children’s has the only Pediatric Emergency Department in Middle Tennessee and more than 100,000 patients are seen in the outpatient clinics each year.
Constructed in 2004, the new freestanding children’s hospital is filled with the latest, state-of-the-art equipment and information systems to provide the best treatment for patients and offers a variety of family accommodations to help fulfill its mission of family-centered care.
Vanderbilt Children’s is a non-profit teaching and research hospital, and relies on the support of individuals and others to help children get well and on their way.”
There are far too many charities in the world that are completely worthy, but this one is hard to argue with, in my opinion. Plus it would have a local impact as well as a global one since they perform so much valuable research.
Thanks for the very good suggestion. I should have thought of it myself. I will also post this new information on the main page as its own article.
this is neat. i hope you succeed. i also secretly hope that you’re my boyfriend and the proposal will be to me.
but he’s not clever or romantic enough.
good luck!!
[…] FAQ […]
[…] FAQ […]
oh gee…you “officially declare” you’ll donate the money…and what was your name again? Real official. Nice scam though. Great idea because you know more people will give you money if you promise to donate to a charity.
yeah right like those are frequently asked questions
And what if she says no????
What a lame bitter bunch of comments, seriously, try to be happy for this guy and give him a brake. He’s obviously in deep love and wants to show his lady, if you don’t want to help no one is forcing you, just try keeping the lame comments away?
Best of wished J.P, from Sweden and Palestine.
/Ryan
You are a freak!
Scamming stupid people over the internet is hardly something “new” and “unique”…. seen it happen a million times
An article about you have been published online on the Swedish Aftonbladet.se, Scandinavia’s biggest newspaper-site.
http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,966211,00.html
It’s all in Swedish so I guess you won’t understand much, but in short it tells about you and your mission, and there’s also a link to your site, which is how I found out about this and came here
. Good luck!
/Roger
Also came over your site by the Swedish Aftonbladet. Since they are very famous for posting all sorts of nonsense I wasn’t surprised at all that something like this would show up.
Just a quick note: SuperBowl is normally aired early morning CET and american football is definately not a sport with a high focus, at least not in the Nordic/Europeean countries. I´d be more humble about the actual event, not assuming the whole world knows that much about it.
Good luck to you, I hope you succeed. Maybe you should add another line to you FAQ - what to do with the money if she turns you down?
/F
I too read this article in Aftonbladet about you. I can understand that most people will think you’re out of your mind but I support you. I can’t help you with a donation though, but I will give you this - a good luck phrase in swedish - Lycka till, jag håller tummarna!
/Jonas
Also ended up here through “Aftonbladet”.
And while “Fred” there hasnt comprehended the sheer size of Super Bowl, or what it actually is, most of us have, even in Sweden where American Football barely is played at all.
Wish you all the luck in getting that ad spot and a “Yes”.
Hey man, I think it’s great that you’re trying to do this, and even if you don’t succeed, it’s still cool.
I don’t think you’re trying to scam anyone or anything near that, perhaps take a bit of the profit to pay for your website or something, I don’t really know how the whole making-a-website thing works.
But anyway, keep the good ideas up, you can’t make enough money for charity.
hope you get the girl.
- from the dirdy dirdy in Sweden
Good luck mate! I support you of all my heart!
This is so inspirating!
/Flav
after some thought, i have a thought– the children’s hospital deserves more airtime in the spot than your proposal. sorry that’s just how i feel. one of my friends is in Nashville right now and her baby–recently born with spina bifida– is getting treated there. make the ad about the hospital and the kids– throw your proposal in the end. maybe then people will donate more.
This is so disheartening. What is with men who need Propozac to get down on one knee and Bridezillas who insist on spending the price of a decent starter house on their one-day party?
It’s not about the proposal, or the wedding - it’s about the marriage. It’s about making a commitment to spend the rest of your lives together. What’s with all the stunts and pyrotechnics? No wonder half of all first marriages end in divorce. No one thinks in terms of the long-term anymore.
My boyfriend and I dated for a while, knew we were in love and never discussed marriage once. Then, on the second day of our vacation last year, he woke up and said “Marry me today.” I hemmed and hawed about needing a big wedding, but by the end of the day, I realized that all I needed was this man in my life forever.
We picked out rings the next day, found a local justice of the peace, I called my parents and let them know (they were thrilled) and for a total of about $200 (plus the rings), we had a wonderful little ceremony that was the first and will be the last one for both of us. I wish everyone could have what we have, instead of demanding giant prove-your-love romantic gestures that don’t last nearly as long as enduring love, a deep commitment and the kind of hard work it takes to last ’til death.
I wish you luck in your marriage, but remember that the “greatest proposal of all time” cools pretty quickly if the effort to last forever isn’t there first and foremost.
How do you know this man isn’t deeply in love? Just because he wants a big proposal? So you’re saying, the smaller the proposal the more in love you are? Ok no. He has an awesome idea that he wants to make work. I highly doubt if he wasnt deeply in love with this woman he would not go through all this trouble.
I THINK I WILL BELIEVE U.
AS BILL BERNBACH SAID “MAYBE YOU ARE RIGHT”
Dood! You need to put AdSense on here and get some money from Google for the traffic you’re generating! You could add a couple more bucks very easily!
Your story was mentioned during the news segment of the Howard Stern Show this morning. This is by far the best exposure you could ever ask for. Not only does the show gets replayed all day long and is heard by millions of people, but guests on the show always end up the number one internet search following their appearance. In fact, that is where I heard of your story and ended up checking out this site =] So if you notice any increase in activity today, thank Howard =]
Oops! I forgot to say what I wanted to in my last post. I also just got married, although an elaborate proposal wasn’t involved. Come to think of it, there wasn’t a proposal at all. =\ In any case, I wish you a long, happy marraige if everything works out and she says yes! Good luck in your proposal!
Im sure she’d appreciate you spending the money, instead of this huge ass proposal, on a beautiful wedding (which by the way is every girls dream) or maybe a “Trump-sized” ring, or how ’bout a new home and car…If she’s like most girls…and seeing as to how Im pretty much an expert ’cause Im a girl and I’m getting married in 20 days. I promise you she’s gonna think this whole super-bown proposal thingy is cool but with that kind of money you could have Preston Bailey do your wedding and that my friend is way cooler!! Remember in the end…its not how, or where you propose…its what you say, how you say it and that you love eachother.
Why give any money at all to the television stations for this? It’s a novel idea, but it seems to be just throwing money away to the TV stations, like they need any more. There are a lot more worthy, needy people.
I agree with you, ANONYMOUS. In the end, maybe television will be the biggest beneficial…
I am a girl, I reall doubt if a girl like your gf wants to have such an unusual proposal…I am also wondering if she will feel forced to say “yes” infront of millions of audience…or if she feels really happy to have such huge attetion and make a supposed-to-be private thing public…Will the proposal show both of your gf’s and your face in the end? Have you thought about the consequence of being a public figure?
I have doubts but still wish you the best…Life is beautiful and full of surprise. I think I am more likely to stay for the superbowel commercials this time..Good luck!
Do you think our friend, JP, is likely to stop at the proposal??? After all this trouble, I’m sure he has his plan B ready to get endorsements for the wedding, the honeymoon, the house, etc. As VJA said earlier, we can only hope he also has Plan C for the MARRIAGE.
Good luck man and GO EAGLES!!!!
I don’t get this…Your making it harder for the rest of us. I think it’s a BIG MISTAKE!
Your only hurting yourself.
Suggestion for JP - Update the answers to some of your FAQs.
Example - This site is to help you generate publicity so that you can get corporate sponcership.
I say that because when I read the comments that some people leave it is clear to me that they have not gotten up to date on your idea. They think you are asking for money and that it is a scam. But they don’t realize that you are not looking for money and haven’t been for awhile now…Maybe those judgemental people wouldn’t be so unkind if they were clear on what this proposal is about?
Anyway, I don’t like reading the negative feedback when it is not based on fact in the first place. I think your idea is fantastic. Keep up the good work and hopefully I’ll find out who you are come that special SUNDAY!!!
beka - excellent suggestions. I have neglected this page for too many months. Thanks for your input.
I D I O T ! ! ! Don’t do it!
I think what you’re doing is awesome, and it seems as though a lot of people on here are incapable of believing that other people could want things diferently from themselves. I’m an advocate for doing whatever is best for your relationship, and so if a big proposal and a big wedding work then give’r. I highly doubt that a guy is going to go to this much trouble for a Superbowl proposal if he has a girlfriend who wouldn’t love it. Proposals don’t have to be quiet and personal.
I’m hoping a large company (ie: Ford, Labatt, etc) will step up to sponsor you, turning your proposal into an ad, and that the company that does so also commits an equal amount of money to charity. That way it’s win-win-win, granted she says yes. But she’d be crazy not to!
All the best, hope to see you two Sundays from now!
Alright JP…you’ve captured the worlds attention with your whole Romeo bit, but why do you need to go off spending millions of dollars just to try to win over the love of your girlfriend. Marriage isnt about how extravagant the gifts or memories….its just about the love the 2 of you share. When the day is over, ya sure, you will probably have a fiance more shocked than any girl could ever be, but dont you realize your hurting every other girl in the world that thinks that this is their boyfriend proposing, obviously you dont really care about others, the only way your giving the hospital is the money, is if you get your selfish way and get the 2.5 million dollars for 30 seconds of fame…seriously doesnt your gf deserve more than 30sec of your time for you to express your “true” love.
GOOD LUCK JP!!!!
This idea is beautiful, and I hope it all works out for the best! I’m pulling for ya. I’m sending out an email to my co-workers right now!
I think that this is the sweetest thing ever. You have advertisers now too! I thought I saw a commercial for it on TV?
Go for it!
aw this possibly the sweetest thing ever, i just watched you on et and it was the first i had heard of it, so i decided to come to your website and read more. i hope she says yes, and i will definitely watch out for that commercial. good luck!
I wish people could at least use proper grammar when they make asshole comments.
Haters are just mad they didn’t think of it first!
Good luck JP, I’ll be watching!
I say good luck and I hope she says YES!! I’m in Canada and I don’t have satellite so I’ll have to wait til the day after to check it out but I’m rooting for you. All those nay-sayers can sit and rotate, it’s not like you’re pocketing the money.
When can I expect the book/movie to be released?
more people will be watching The Big Game AND commmercials now! Good luck and hope she says yes!
All the best of luck to you JP! I just heard about this though the WeddingBells Forum in Canada, this story is still making the rounds! With a week to go, I’m sure now is the crunch time to get this thing done, and honestly? I hope you succeed. And if you do, it will be interesting to see how many people will be trying this next year!
Here’s an early congratulations to you both!
I just hope she says YES! For your sake!
l hope she says no…the children deserve the 2.5million more than you do.
Good luck!!! I heard this from a few people in Halifax, NS. Canada. Thought it was cute and took a look at your site.
Hope plans go accordingly!
WOW make it happen I can hardly wait to see this go down!
If she says no you will go down as the biggest regect in history. Are you sure this is the way to go about it? Dont get me wrong I think its the most romantic way to recieve a proposal if your girl is really into football. If shes a ice skating or basketball fan you may do better going that route. But good luck I hope she says yes and appreciates the effort you have put into this.
I love football but I really love watching the commercials! Now it is hard to find a time to pee during the game! Ha ha! Don’t listen to the cynics, there just jelious you have the will and determination to make it happen! You are a wonderful soul to donate the $ to Vanderbilt, hopefully the sponsor and the network will see that they should do the same. Give us a list of potential sponsors and we will email them with full support of you, them and the hospital! Can’t wait for your proposal… have the tevo already ste! Good Luck..
Hi JP! Would you please post what the yellow shirt says (bottom of the t shirt page) It llooks different than the others. Thanks and again GOOD LUCK!!!!!
I just wanted to say, that’s really romantic. Oh, and also ironic, making a $2.5m proposal cheap with all the publicity and shameless advertising. Wait, it’s not romantic either, is it? It’s showy. Will you delete this message that mentions irony like you did the others? What a joke.
I heard you on the Tom Leykis Show the other day and I have four (conflicting ‘cuz I’m a girl) opinions about all of this:
1. Man, some of these posters are dumb.
2. What a great idea you came up with. I would be thrilled to be proposed to this way.
3. The ratings for the game will be THROUGH THE ROOF with every chick in America watching. It’s a bonanza.
4. And, with a marriage proposal and Prince at the Superbowl, and the eventual election of Hilary, the pussification of America will be complete.
Have to agree with every point that Jax made except…
1. They sure are!
2. It’s a wonderful idea! What female football fan wouldnt think that this is romantic?
3. There is no downside for your sponsors.
4. Jax…Will you Marry me?
hey man, good luck with the proposal, your shes obvioiusly going to say yes for sure…who could say no to it, after all your hardwork…and i guess you have a pretty good feeling about it if you went through all these steps for her….anyways me and my sis wish the best for you and your gal!!!
I had a feeling it was not going to be on. I do know one thing for sure JP is from California. He was on a local radio program with Tom Lykus. Good Luck JP
oh wow
Coming from another romantic, this is a great idea and I still support you, but I went through the same thing with Fox during the World Series. My airtime (paid for by a diamond co.) was to come during game 5 (the Astros were swept in 4). Evenso, I still wanted something spectacular. Months passed and one after another big ideas feel through. I ended up losing the girl because she thought I was avoiding commitment, when that was not the case. Point being, I appreciate your drive, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and get down on one knee in the living room with no one there except that person that matters most.
wow… just slipped on my hip waders and slogged my way through the muddy, angry, cynical crap above. Thank every god there is that there were enough happy, hopeful, supportive comments to keep my head above all the misery folks have posted here. Ugh.
Well, it happened! That it wasn’t The Big Game simply proves that love doesn’t conquer corporate funding. It would have been mindblowing if it did! But love does fly high above the blogosphere, which is made, of course, of human interest. And this whole thing is humanly very interesting.
I feel a little sad for the people who sit in judgment of your love for both your woman and your world. Enjoy your beautiful lives together!
Now, I’m going to go watch Geraldine’s response again. It just makes me happy
Rand, kudos! As always with everything you do, WELL DONE!
Congratulations on your engagement! That was the most romantic (publicized) proposal I think anyone’s ever seen. All you pessimists: just remember that love conquers all!
Enjoy your marriage!
All I can say is ooooooohhhhh! That was just one of the sweetest things I’ve seen in a long time! God Bless!
What a self centered idea.. We should donate money so you can propose to your girlfriend… What about the other millions of people that want to propose?
Congrats on the engagement! Reading through all these other comments, I just want to say that it was really disheartening to see how many people didn’t believe you, or your story. I know that in today’s day and age more times than not it’s a scam…but try to suspend your disbelief for a bit! Anyway, I think your idea was sweet, and I’m sure she appreciated it and loved it. Don’t listen to what any of these people say about different ways you could have spent the money, or what else you should be working on other than a giant proposal. I think you’re great.
Wow. JP, you truly are an awesome guy! Geraldine is a very lucky woman. The two of you are absolutely adorable and I wish you the best of luck!!!!! Congratulations!!
why was the ring not picked up until tuesday, it seems many are asking but noone is answering, is there something fishy about that?