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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Quick decisions fuel Healey's win

 •  Pigskin picks

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Eugene Healey

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For at least once next year, Eugene Healey won't be fueling up an aircraft, he'll be enjoying the ride.

Healey, of Pearl City, correctly picked all 12 games to win The Advertiser's Pigskin Picks contest.

The 46-year-old aircraft fueler won a trip for two to Las Vegas and $500 in spending money.

Healey said he was surprised he won because he didn't spend as much time as he usually does in making his picks.

"I just didn't think I was going to win," he said. "This week was a rush. I marked 'em quick, and went with them. It was very unusual because I usually read about the games, look who won last week and then decide who I think is going to win."

And maybe he had the luck of the Irish on his side.

Healey's favorite college team, Notre Dame, is in Hawai'i to play the Warriors in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl today.

Healey said he will take his brother, John, to Las Vegas.

"My brother was happy because he really wants to go to Vegas," he said. "I turned him on to (Pigskin Picks) two years ago, but I've been trying longer.

"We usually go (to Las Vegas) when we can, but lately it's been tough. It's expensive now."

Healey, who submitted one ballot, said the game that had him worried Sunday was the New York Giants' 34-28 overtime victory over Carolina.

The Giants trailed at halftime and needed a two-point conversion to send the game into overtime.

"I always pick the Giants, but it didn't seem like they were going to win."

But like the Giants, Healey pulled out the victory by winning the tiebreaker among the perfect ballots.

"Christmas this year is very happy," he said. "It's a good gift."