Arlington man scores free Super Bowl tickets in Safeway shopping game

By Douglas Buell • January 28, 2020 1:30 am

ARLINGTON – One lucky Arlington man is headed to Super Bowl LIV in Miami this weekend for free after scoring a prize package just for shopping at the Safeway store where he works.

Ken Nobach, inventory control clerk for the Arlington store and a 37-year employee with the company, won an all-expenses-paid trip courtesy of BodyArmor, including two tickets, airfare, accommodations, jerseys and other fan gear, spending money, and cash for an Uber.

Nobach said he was shocked when marketers broke the news two weeks ago.

“I didn’t believe it at first when they called,” said Nobach on Tuesday at an in-store celebration joined by store director Kyle Seelbach, co-workers and a few shoppers drawn to the football-themed regalia. “I didn’t even know how I got entered in the giveaway.”

Actually, Nobach was casually playing the “Shop and Score” sweepstakes that runs during football season. The program is sponsored by Safeway and Albertson’s stores in partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, and open to shoppers and employees. Customers who buy three participating items in a single transaction are entered to win weekly prizes ranging from tickets and autographed merchandise, to trips for two to Hawaii, groceries for a year and other grand prizes.

Nobach is taking his son Blair, 28, to the game. “It has been one of his dreams to go to a Super Bowl, so I had to take him. We’re going to have a great time.”

It wasn’t an entirely easy call who would stay behind. His understanding girlfriend agreed with the choice. Then there were his twin 30-year-old sons to consider; one a busy medical student, the other a 49ers fan on the side.

Who will the diehard Seahawks fan Nobach be cheering for?

“I can’t root for the 49ers because they’re the Hawks’ rival, so I gotta go with Kansas City for one day only,” he said.

What about some love for 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman?

Nope. “I like him, but I just can’t root for them. I’m a true Seahawks fan,” said Nobach, wearing his 12th man jersey.

The trip sure beats Nobach’s original plans for Super Bowl Sunday.

He’s a member of the Everett Elks. “We were going to go down there and celebrate, and watch the game with all my friends.”

At the celebration, Nobach also received a framed poster declaring his grand prize win, along with a swag bag containing Seahawks jerseys and a scarf, a football autographed by cornerback Shaquille Griffin, crazy hair, gloves, and novelty sunglasses for the Miami sun.

“He won’t look like a tourist at all,” joked one co-worker.