NEW YORK -- What started out as an inside joke between friends has become a national sensation. University of Alabama freshman

, who became a viral sensation after appearing in a

, appeared on NBC's "Today" on Tuesday morning alongside hosts Anne Curry and Al Roker. Blankenship described his sudden rise to fame and instructed the show's hosts on the proper technique for performing "The Face".

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Blankenship was also

between the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets game sporting his signature signage featuring his own now-famous face. Blankenship's distraction tactics appeared to cause at least a pair of missed free throws by Nets star Kris Humphries.