Panthers Thomas Davis raffles off motorcycle to benefit Defending Dreams Foundation

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A Greenville, S.C. resident won the golden ticket, according to our news partner The Gaston Gazette. Brian Ballard bought a raffle ticket in May benefiting the Carolina Panthers' linebacker Thomas Davis' nonprofit organization, the Defending Dreams Foundation.

Monday, Ballard walked away with more than having met the 2015 All-Pro linebacker.

He walked away with the grand prize, which was a custom-built motorcycle.

“I’m very excited,” Ballard said. “I think it’s a great deal that they joined up with the Thomas Davis foundation. It’s a great cause and I’m a big fan.”

The Bike Exchange in Gaston County partnered with Davis and his nonprofit to offer $100 raffle tickets during Bike Week in May.

All of the money raised from the raffles went toward benefiting Davis’ nonprofit.

Davis’ nonprofit organization helps underprivileged children throughout the Charlotte region.

“It’s huge to be able to partner with Steve and the guys down here at The Bike Exchange to put this on and donate money to the foundation,” Davis said. “All the money that we raised goes directly back to the community and the families that we work with.”

Ballard’s ticket, No. 219, won him a chance to meet Davis as well as receive a custom-made motorcycle from the Bike Exchange.

The shop’s general manager Lee Gibbs said this award-winning bike was nothing like anything you will see on the road.

“It’s a 2017 (Harley-Davidson) Street Glide but it’s been done with a 30-inch (front) wheel and 15-17 grand in audio alone,” Gibbs said. “When you crank this up it’s 140 decibels that it’ll blast out.”

On top of the custom motorcycle and the chance to meet Davis, Ballard also walked away with a Davis signed jersey and two Panthers ballcaps.

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