Posted on Thurs, May. 29, 2003
Floyd wins big again on Jeopardy!
By Karen Shaw
Sugar Valley’s Eric Floyd (far right) placed third in the recent Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions and took home $25,000.
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Sugar Valley’s Eric Floyd made Gordon County proud when he advanced into the Tournament of Champions final round recently on Jeopardy! winning a total of $25,000. Out of the approximately 480 people who competed on the popular television game show last year, Floyd ranked third following the Tournament of Champions segment. Only 15 top money winners were asked to return to the tournament, Floyd explained. Floyd, a 1993 graduate of Gordon Central High School and son of Kathi Chastain and Darrell Floyd, both of Calhoun, won a whopping $99,800 last year on Jeopardy!, making him the third all-time highest money winner in the history of the show. “After the quarterfinals round, I was a wildcard contestant for the semifinals,” he said. “Then I won the semi-finals and advanced to the two-day final round.” During the finals, Floyd said he was having trouble with his timing. “I was pretty much behind the whole time because I couldn’t get in to give the questions to the answers,” he explained. “Apparently, it’s all about timing, and they explained that I was ringing in before they armed the buzzer and that caused me to be locked out.” Game show host Alex Trebek took the time to encourage him and explain the problem, Floyd said. “But I had a really good time,” he added. “It was great to be able to go back on the show.” Floyd took his mom with him to California for the taping of the show, and they enjoyed their stay at the Beverly Hilton, he said. “I wanted someone to go with me, and she likes to travel,” he said. “Also, five years ago she and my stepdad flew me out to California to audition for the show, so I just sort of returned the favor.” While there, they had the opportunity to take in some of the sights and sounds of the area as well as visit with Floyd’s longtime friend and fellow GCHS graduate Jill Rytie, who works for a movie production company there. Floyd, who is completing his second degree at the University of Georgia in Athens, is saving his winnings to help pay for law school. “I hope to move back to Calhoun after I complete this semester at the end of August because I really miss it,” he said. “I would like to get a job with a local attorney and then commute to Georgia State University for law school.”
Other Calhoun Times Stories On Eric Floyd's Jeopardy Wins.
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