ATLANTA — A massive replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy on display in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park ahead of Super Bowl LIII has gotten the attention of fans from around the world – and it was made by a company here in metro Atlanta.
Fascinate, a company based in Duluth, was invited to build the Lombardi Trophy replica. Josh Polley and his business partner, Sedrick Livingston, said they learned the NFL wanted to partner with their company to build what would become a focal point of Atlanta’s Super Bowl – in just three weeks.
“Well, it is our hometown, right? Atlanta is a big part of it … to see a reaction where they’re so excited seeing it coming in makes all the long hours and work and effort that you put in, really makes it worth it,” Polley said.
Polley and Livingston said they’re selective in the projects they accept – and working for the Super Bowl was an easy decision. But the pressure was on - and under lock and key as Polley said they received a model of the real Lombardi Trophy to use as inspiration.
“For something of that scale and magnitude and importance, there are so many details that had to be followed and looked at,” Polley said.
The result appears to be a giant success. The 25-foot tall, 4,000-pound trophy is a social media magnet at Super Bowl LIII, with a sea of Instagram posts to prove it.
“We were able to provide a little piece that people love and cherish and can take home as a memory to them,” Polley said.
Several other companies helped bring the replica trophy to life with the lights and stage surrounding it in Centennial Olympic Park. The massive trophy also shoots out confetti – making for the perfect Super Bowl picture.
CONFETTI BLAST SCHEDULE AT CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK
- Jan. 31: 8:15 p.m.
- Feb. 1: 8:45 p.m.
- Feb. 2: 8:15 p.m.
While Fascinate had only three weeks to build the massive Lombardi Trophy replica, Tiffany & Co. – the company that builds the official Lombardi Trophy every year – gets four months to complete the iconic, 22-inch trophy.
While a huge amount of work and detail went into the replica trophy, the NFL has asked Fascinate to keep their building process a secret because the NFL is planning on using their Lombardi replica at future Super Bowls.
That means no photos or videos of the building process.
“You put your heart and soul in it and that’s why we all do what we do," Polley said. "At the end of the day, we can all stand back internally, take a look and say, ‘You know what? I was part of something great’.”
Photos: Super Bowl Opening Night at State Farm Arena
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