Artistic ability meets football pride

BATTLE GROUND, Ind. (WLFI) - The Super Bowl may be taking place in Indianapolis, but that's not stopping one Battle Ground man from spreading the cheer.

Anybody driving down Jefferson Street in Battle Ground cannot miss the colorful sheet posted up outside of Chris Linder's house.

Representing the Giants and the Patriots for this year's Super Bowl, the sheet was completely airbrushed. Linder said he and a friend, who owns a tattoo shop, started the airbrushing tradition when their favorite team made it to the Super Bowl.

"It's something we started three years ago. It started out as just a hobby and for fun. We started with the Saints and the Colts, and of course, the Colts lost," Linder said.

Linder said despite the fact the Colts lost, he and his friend continued to design sheets for the Super Bowl. He said most people would be surprised about how much time goes into creating the sheets. He said this year's sheet was no exception.

"It probably took us almost 100 hours, about 7 to 8 hours a night, working on it," Linder said.

Those hours were spread out over a week's period. Linder said the effort is worth it. Linder's neighbor, Pete Haley, also agrees.

"They are kind of neat and they're fun to watch come together and this one over here is really neat this year, and the party. He has a party every year and we all get to eat there," Haley said.

Linder customized this year's sheet by adding friends and family members who he knew would be at that party.

"They all get a kick out of it because we've changed them and put them in our perspective from what we see them as in our eyes," Linder said.

Linder said he and his friend will continue the tradition for as long as they can. He said he'll be more than ready for the day when the Colts can make it onto a sheet again.