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Published Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009

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Pasco man wins trip to Super Bowl via cell phone

By Kristi Pihl, Herald staff writer

PASCO -- Jim Bott of Pasco normally watches the Super Bowl from the comfort of his recliner.

But this year the event will unfold before his eyes, with no TV needed.

Bott won an all-expense paid trip to Miami, Fla., to watch the 2010 Super Bowl on Feb. 7 in the "Push to Enter" sweepstakes that was held by Motorola, a major NFL sponsor, and Sprint.

Sprint's Direct Connect service was used to allow millions to enter the contest.

It was a new promotion, using Motorola's Clutch phone and Sprint's Nextel Direct Connect service, said Mark Orlandella of Motorola.

Bott said an employee at Sprint on Columbia Center Boulevard helped him enter. They pushed a button on the phone to use the Nextel Direct Connect, a walkie talkie-service.

Originally, Bott didn't think he'd won. He said he thought someone in his family or friends was setting him up.

Bott said he plans to take along his brother-in-law, Dale Bartholomew of West Richland on the trip for two.

Bott hopes to meet some of the football players and enjoy the general atmosphere, because others who've attended the Super Bowl have compared it to Mardi Gras, he said.

Bott has his hopes set on seeing the Indianapolis Colts make it to the game. Until Sunday, they were undefeated.

"I'm going to bet my money on them," he said.

Football is his favorite sport. He said just watching 300-pound men collide hurts.

It will be his first time to see the Super Bowl in person.

The 12 employees at the Sprint store on Columbia Center Boulevard also received 1,000 e-points, or the equivalent of $100, for a Web site offered through the company that sells everything from clothes to electronics, said Monida Rozier, district manager.

-- Kristi Pihl: 509-582-1512; kpihl@tricityherald.com

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