3 Georgia Lottery winners gear up for post-season college football trips

ATLANTA – Three lucky Georgia Lottery players are gearing up for a fun-filled trip with the Georgia Lottery’s "Post-Season Football Jackpot" promotion. Jermaine Ferrell of Decatur, Willie Hodges of Mableton and Demetrice Gooden of Macon each won a getaway for two to a college football post-season match-up.

Ferrell won a trip to the Jan. 1 match-up in New Orleans between the University of Cincinnati and the University of Florida. Hodges won a trip to the Jan. 4 match-up in Glendale, Ariz. between Texas Christian University and Boise State University. Gooden won a trip to the Jan. 5 match-up in Miami between Georgia Tech and the University of Iowa.

The prizes include air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, game tickets and $500 spending money. Approximate retail value of each prize is up to $3,200.

Each winner is excited about their trip.

"I consider it a birthday gift," said Ferrell, who celebrated his birthday Dec. 15.

Hodges anticipates traveling with his son.

"Our plans are to walk around, see the city and enjoy the game," he said.

Gooden said she was floored when she learned about her prize.

"I couldn't believe that I have actually won," she exclaimed. "It's great. It's absolutely fabulous."

Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has returned more than $11.2 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs including Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia's Pre-K Program. More than 1.2 million students have received HOPE, and more than 940,000 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.