Super Bowl tickets relinquished by Ashland woman go to Air Force veteran

Feb. 9—A retired Air Force veteran from Philadelphia will be flying to Arizona this weekend to watch the Super Bowl, thanks to the generosity of Hollywood Casino.

Matt Giacobbe, 55, was notified this week that he received two tickets — with hotel and airfare included — to Super Bowl LVII in Glendale.

The decision came as Linda Hurlston, of Ashland, relinquished a pair of Super Bowl tickets she recently won through a promotional giveaway from Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville.

Giacobbe, who retired in 2016 as an E-8 senior master sergeant, is "ecstatic" he received the opportunity to attend the game and cheer on his hometown team.

"It's an honor and a privilege," he said. "There's probably a million more people more deserving than me to do this. I'm just humbled I was selected."

In choosing a potential candidate, Giacobbe said, the casino had sought "a deserving veteran" who has been involved in the community and, of course, is a big Philadelphia Eagles fan.

"I can't see how the Eagles don't bring home the Super Bowl trophy," said Giacobbe, a lifelong fan.

Giacobbe is involved in many community efforts for veterans, including serving as the ambassador for his local chapter of the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors.

Though he is unsure of his immediate plans after he lands in Arizona, he will "assist veterans in any manner I can" as opportunities arise.

He will be traveling with his friend, Joseph Moran, a fellow veteran and longtime fan of the Eagles.

Although Giacobbe is confident the Eagles will win, he is hesitant to make any specific predictions. He added that, above all, he is hoping for a good game and that there are no serious injuries to players on either of the teams.

"Everybody's talking about who's winning or losing," Giacobbe said. "But when you look at the big picture — the way I look at it, from being deployed — as long as everybody comes back home in one piece, I say you're all winners."

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085

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