Wednesday, January 5, 2011

From Homeless to NFL Films

The viral video of the Ted Williams, homeless panhandler in Ohio has paid off big time.

Ted, a former alcoholic druggie, was videotaped after a passerby read his sign that said (in part): "I have a god-given talent of voice..."

The video was posted on Youtube, has drawn thousands of "hits" and lead to a "Let's get Ted a voice-over job campaign."

It worked! NFL films is said to be contacting him as we speak and the Cleveland Cavaliers want him as well.

Here's the blurb from USA Today.com:
"A producer at NFL Films has contacted the Columbus Dispatch newspaper, which profiled Brooklyn native Ted Williams to try to hire him for voiceover work, says NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. The Cleveland Cavaliers are also said to be in the hunt to hire the overnight radio sensation."

We're sure as soon as he's cleaned up, housed and fed, he'll look the part too.

Way to go, Internet!




UPDATE:
"This morning, WNCI's DAVE KAELIN & JIMMY JAM interviewed TED, along with all three local network affiliates as well as INSIDE EDITION, CNN, and the TODAY SHOW, and the floodgates of opportunity opened wide.
Among the offers TED has:
- Arena announcer for THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS -- including a salary and they will buy him a house
- OHIO CREDIT UNION LEAGUE gave him $10,000 cash and a retainer deal for voicework
- ESPN is reportedly offering him a job
- MTV reportedly wants to discuss a reality series
- A free vacation trip to HILO, HI to voice a commercial ... and the list goes on!"


Watch the news interview from this morning's CBS show. He cries at the end thinking of meeting his 92 year old mom and telling her he has a job...and a home.





2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What would be even cooler is if FAMILY GUY actually used him also!! Looks like he hit the Mega Lottery himself? God Bless the guy who actually brought him to light!!

Mikki said...

I love this story! It's so positive and wonderful! I'm really happy for him and hope he doesn't let drugs and alcohol ruin his life again.