So, as I was digging around the internet I found this article from SB Nation:

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2013/12/13/5207558/2014-outback-bowl-coconut-shrimp-vs-bloomin-onion

The article is entitled “2014 Outback Bowl rooting interests: Coconut shrimp vs. bloomin’ onion”

The article in part states:

Iowa’s playing LSU in the Outback Bowl, but the real story will be off the field! Way off the field, because nobody who eats bloomin’ onions will be in any shape to be playing any football for a while. Outback Steakhouse has the details:

Victory or defeat, everyone gets free eats Jan. 2nd. If LSU takes home the Outback Bowl trophy, Outback will give away free Bloomin’ Onions nationwide. If Iowa prevails, it will be free Coconut Shrimp for all. Just say “Outback Bowl” to your server on Jan. 2 to score the free app.

Simply lock eyes with your server. Hold your server’s gaze for some time. Grin. Signal for your server to come closer. Yes, just like that. Whisper in your server’s ear, like Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, “Outback Bowl.” Choke down your reward.

O-M-G!

A free Bloomin’ Onion … IF LSU WINS????????????????

Seeing this I immediately posted a comment to the article with a link to my initial blog posting about my quest to get a free Bloomin’ Onion:

https://muckville.com/2013/12/08/iowa-to-play-lsu-in-the-outback-bowl-and-i-want-a-free-bloomin-onion-from-outback-steakhouse/

I then took off for the Twitterverse and started posting replies to anyone that tweeted about this … including the author of the SB nation article and Outback.

A few minutes later I got a tweeted response … FROM OUTBACK ITSELF!

In fact, they tweeted to me multiple times. Here is the exchange:

@ChrisPawelski Everyone wins at the @outbackbowl! If Iowa wins, you get free Coconut Shrimp and if LSU wins you get a free Bloomin’ Onion

@Outback @outbackbowl Uhm … I don’t want shrimp. I want a Bloomin’ Onion. You need to read my blog to learn why. http://bit.ly/1bR14ye 

@ChrisPawelski But we can arrange a Free Bloomin’ Onion for you before game day. DM us your mailing addy #outbacksurprise

@Outback AWESOME! WILL DO! Thanks #Outback!

@ChrisPawelski Anything for a 4th generation onion farmer! Without you, there wouldn’t be Bloomin’ Onions

Link for the entire exchange:

https://twitter.com/TimRossComedy/status/410251066803257344

So now I am getting a free Bloomin’ Onion and Outback is now following me on Twitter!

Thank you so much Outback!!!

Now I wonder … do you want to send a deeply in debt onion farmer, his wife and two kids to see the game with complimentary tickets, airfare and lodging? You can also feel free to support my Crowd Funding campaign:

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/1efvb/ab/72OxNc?

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120304/SMALLBIZ/303049975

LOl … just kidding! But all kidding aside … thank you Outback!