TEAM Coalition Lead for NFL: Jessica Thurston
Email: jessica@teamcoalition.org
Phone: 919-656-5967
The Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk campaign brings the most recognizable drunk driving prevention slogan ever conceived to the world of sports entertainment.
During the 2009 NFL season, TEAM Coalition launched a first of its kind collaboration among the NFL, all 32 NFL teams, 31 stadiums, six concessionaires, multiple beer distributors, the nation’s largest brewers, broadcasters, law enforcement agencies, and traffic safety experts to promote this message. The words “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” appeared on all the beer cups across the league throughout the season. The communication effort included a press tour by TEAM Coalition’s Chairman of the Board at the time, Milt Ahlerich, former Vice President of Security for the NFL.
The message is a subtle reminder to NFL fans that they have a critical role when it comes promoting positive fan behavior and responsible drinking. Since 2003, NFL fans who pledge to be designated drivers at NFL stadiums have been rewarded for that responsible decision through the Responsibility Has Its Rewards sweepstakes.
At the end of the regular season, each NFL team randomly selects the Responsible Fan for the Season from all the fans who pledge to prevent drunk driving. During the 2025 NFL season, more than 105,000 NFL fans pledged to be responsible fans. Each year, the Responsible Fans for the Season representing each NFL team are rewarded. Last season the Responsible Fan for the Season representing the Miami Dolphins won a trip for four (4) to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, PA. The Responsible Fan for the Season representing the Philadelphia Eagles won a trip for two (2) to the 2026 Hall of Fame Game.
For 2026, the goal is for 150,000 NFL fans to pledge to have a plan to prevent drunk driving.
The responsible fan program is an important element of the league’s fan behavior program, including:
- Fan Codes of Conduct, established and promoted by all 32 teams
- Text messaging and phone hotlines that empower fans to report disruptive behavior to security
- Employee training in effective alcohol management for all stadium employees
- Increased law enforcement presence in the parking lots, at the gates, and inside the stadium