Baltimore Ravens fans are about to find out if they do, in fact, bleed purple and black.
On Sunday, when the Ravens open their 2017 home slate at M&T Bank Stadium, more than 55,000 fans — over three quarters of the stadium’s 71,000+ capacity — can get their DNA tested for free by Orig3n, the company announced Wednesday.
Orig3n, a private company based in Boston, partnered with the Ravens in August.
“We are so excited to play a featured role in enhancing the Ravens Flock experience,” Robin Y. Smith, Orig3n’s CEO, said in a statement. “This is the first time that DNA tests are being distributed to fans at a football stadium and we believe this is an incredible opportunity to reach many people at once. Ravens DNA Day is the perfect way to kick off the season and our unique partnership.”
Orig3n provides a number of DNA tests that can detect and provide insight into different aspects of a person’s genetic makeup. One test, Fuel, tells the user how their body responds to food; another, Fitcode, reveals how the user’s body should respond to different exercises. The tests are designed to provide the people who take them with actionable insights that can supposedly improve their lives.
“Orig3n is on a mission to advance the future of health. We believe that everyone should have direct, affordable access to their genetic information and reaching people with DNA tests on such a large scale is a natural and exciting way for us to demonstrate that,” Smith added.
The test comes in the form of a cheek swab that users then register with a unique barcode and send to Orig3n’s laboratories. The DNA analysis is then sent via email, and they also can be viewed on the free app for iPhone and Android.
According to the announcement, Ravens fans will receive test packets as they enter the stadium.
“Ravens DNA Day is certainly one of the most innovative events a partner has ever spearheaded,” Kevin Rochlitz, the Ravens’ senior vice president of corporate sales and business development, said in a statement. “We are eager to start off the season with such a cutting-edge community event and we look forward to the future of our partnership with Orig3n.”
“We’re thrilled to be engaging the Ravens community with this monumental undertaking on DNA Day,” Smith said.
It is yet to be seen if 55,000-plus members of the Flock will be captured on the M&T Bank Stadium video boards swabbing their cheeks. But one thing is for sure: Fans who take the DNA tests will find out how their bodies respond to crab cakes and beer.
and drop your swab in an Orig3n bin around the stadium! #RavensDNA #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/d1GezWRh4E
— ORIG3N Inc (@ORIG3N_Inc) September 15, 2017