LIHUE — Silence. Disbelief. Joy.
Such was Robert Costa’s reaction when called by The Garden Island and told he was the grand-prize winner of TGI’s and Midweek’s Football Fever contest.
“I thought somebody was playing games with me,” he said, smiling. “I thought it was a joke. I’m still in shock.”
The Lihue man will receive a trip for two to Las Vegas, $500 cash, and five nights and four days accommodations. He and his wife Priscilla hope to head there this spring.
“She would love to go on her birthday,” he said. “That would be nice.”
Costa has been playing Football Fever for years. This is his first time winning. He submitted entries for about half of the 20 weeks of the contest that recently wrapped up for the season. Participants predict who will win 15 matchups of college and professional games. Those who match or beat the top celebrity panelist are entered into a random drawing. Each week, there was a $250 prize, capped by the grand prize at season’s end.
All told, nearly 4,500 entries were submitted.
“It’s a good thing,” Costa said. “A lot of my friends play.”
He does his homework before making his picks. The Los Angeles Raiders fan follows football each week during the regular season. He tracks injuries, checks weather conditions, reviews strengths and weaknesses of teams and looks at who has the home field.
“I follow all that,” he said. “I follow ESPN every day. I go by that.”
Costa is retired, but works part time at The Home Depot.
“Just to keep moving,” he said.
There were weeks he was busy and missed turning in an entry form. But he tried not to let that happen because he likes taking part in Football Fever.
“To me, it’s just a good thing,” he said. “I hope you guys keep the same trend going. It’s very good.”
