Billings News

Billings man heads to Super Bowl for free

Posted: Jan 31, 2012 5:57 PM by Amanda Venegas
Updated: Jan 31, 2012 6:01 PM

BILLINGS - Come this Sunday, Billings resident Earl Radonski and his wife will be one of the 70,000 fans at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

"I wasn't really excited at first, but right now I'm really excited," said Earl Radonski at his home Tuesday, before flying out to Indianapolis.

And the best part is, it's all free.

Just a few months ago, Earl entered Prilosec's "A Better Way to Tailgate Challenge." At stake a chance to win Super Bowl tickets. Later he got a call from a promoter asking for personal information, but wasn't sure if the call was legitimate.

"So I called the Better Business Bureau in New York and they told me they were an A+ company," Earl said about what he found.

He then sent in the paperwork and waited.

"Two days later they called back and said that they were ready to make flight arrangements, so then I definitely knew I was going," Earl said.

Now just days away from the Super Bowl, reality set in for Earl as he and his wife Daria as they packed their bags to go to Indianapolis. Earl says as football fanatic, he realizes what a gift this really is.

"Just to go to the Super Bowl, not a lot of people have a chance to go to the Super Bowl in their lifetime. I wish the Packers were there," Earl said.

Maybe next year, but if Earl has to pick one team to win.

"I think the Giants have a better team, better defense, so the Giants," Earl said.

Although his beloved Packers won't be playing in Super Bowl XLVI, Earl says he'll still soak up the once in a lifetime experience, from some of the best seats in the house.

According to a survey by CouponCabin.com, one in five U.S. adults would miss a major life event to go to the Super Bowl game featuring their favorite NFL team. On the survey: 23 percent said they'd miss a vacation, 21 percent said an important work responsibility, 20 percent said the wedding of a close friend or family member , 19 percent said the funeral of a loved one and get this, 15 percent said the birth of their child.