Valpo natives get a 'super' break to see Super Bowl XLVI

INDIANAPOLIS | According to SeatGeek, the average Super Bowl XLVI ticket, as of Saturday evening, cost $2,262.

On Wednesday, the average price was as high as $3,414.

Jon Kerr, a 1996 Valparaiso High School grad, had TWO for Sunday's game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots. For free.

Kerr is not rich, just lucky. Very, very lucky.

"I actually bought a lottery ticket (Friday)," he said, hoping his hot streak would continue.

Kerr was playing blackjack at Ho Chunk Casino in Baraboo, Wis., last Thursday and had this "feeling" when he signed up for a Super Bowl ticket giveaway.

"I was sitting there, talking to one of the dealers and I told her 'I'm gonna win this thing' and she's like: 'Sure. Whatever.' And then they announced the winner and said my name," Kerr added. "I just jumped up and went running.

"It was funny. I ran up to the customer service desk to claim the prize and the pit boss came over and was like: 'You're still in the middle of a hand. We need you to finish that.'"

Kerr returned to the tables, heart beating like a blender. To his surprise, the winnings included TWO tickets, car rental and hotel — an $8,000 package.

"It ended up being a pretty sweet deal," he said prior to kickoff.

Kerr's closest friends had figured the Notre Dame alum would stand in front of Lucas Oil Stadium, sell his tickets and make a small fortune.

"No way," he said. "This was a once-in-a-lifetime event. I wasn't going to pass on this."

Kevin Casey, Jon's father and a Notre Dame grad as well, is most grateful. He got the other ticket for Sunday's game and wasn't surprised by the kind gesture.

"A lot of guys would've taken their buddy with them and Jon would've had no shortage of friends to go with him," said Kevin, a 1969 Valparaiso High grad. "But we go to a lot of sporting events together — Arena Football, spring training, Notre Dame football games home and away, Cubs games.

"I'm extremely thrilled today. I love pro football. Going to the Super Bowl is everyone's dream, and to have the Super Bowl in Indianapolis is even sweeter."

Jon also has two sisters — Siovhan and Colleen — who live in Indianapolis but had to stay home. If the prize at Ho Chunk had been four tickets, he would've taken them, too.

"I won a jackpot last year at the same casino, actually. It was $15,000," Kerr chuckled. "It's kinda my lucky year so far."

Their tickets Sunday were for Section 627, Row 18, seats 17 and 18.

The father-son team couldn't have cared less if they were up on the roof.

"I'm just fortunate I have a son who's very lucky," Kevin said.