The New Year started off with a bang for Thomas Koons, from Butler, Pa., when he was presented the keys to a black 2016 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4 truck, completely wrapped in Steelers colors and logos.
Koons was the winner of a contest run by the Steelers and Neighborhood Ford Store and was in disbelief when he got the winning call.
"They called and told me congratulations," said Koons. "At first I thought it was a joke. I didn't know how to take it. Then I heard everyone cheering and I realized I won. I was so ecstatic."
Koons entered the contest when he visited training camp at Saint Vincent College this summer, and never really gave it much thought after that.
"We walked in and saw the truck and they told us to sign up and try to win the truck," said Koons. "Why not? I never thought I'd win it. I was blown away."
The truck giveaway, prior to the Steelers-Browns game, has become a tradition at the final regular season home game as part of a partnership between the Steelers and the Neighborhood Ford Store.
"This is the fifth Steelers truck Neighborhood Ford Store has awarded, and honestly, each year this contest gets more exciting," said Joseph Thurby, Neighborhood Ford Store 2017 Chairman. "We were so happy that this year Ford also became the Official Truck of the NFL. Each year there is more to celebrate."
Koons, who is attending the game as well as a guest of the team, definitely is celebrating winning the truck.
"I think it's a wonderful idea that the Ford team does this," said Koons. "It shows the commitment to the fans the team has. They are giving away a truck because you are a Steelers fan. I think it's great."
