Winning Tony Gonzalez's Costume Contest

Its easy to think that the internet is a wild west, where the concept of property is ignored and theft is rampant. That's accurate at least some of the time. But not always. Last week I had a theft turn into a windfall, thanks to honest people being on watch and diligent in their investigations.

Unbeknownst to me, Atlanta Falcons Tight End Tony Gonzalez (@TonyGonzalez88) introduced a costume contest the day after Halloween.

A string of entries came back to him in the form of twitter replies, including a Dr. Octopus costume from Griffin Tajfel.

Tony Gonzales announced him as the winner, but quickly received notice that the Dr. Octopus costume was one of mine from 2005. (Thanks Chris Miller @SeaMill5).

He checked and quickly re-routed the prize, a really nice, autographed football to me!

He also included an assortment of All-Pro Science supplements. That's his company.

Good job Tony Gonzalez and thank you Chris Miller. I appreciate that they took the time to make this a fair outcome.

Griffin Tajfel noted that I would not have won without him. He's right, leaving me amused that the would-be thief thinks he deserves credit for his action.

The least he could have done is re-mixed it.

Comments

Name: Todd Paris

Rob, when you got the football in the mail, did you say, "Wow! Just like in the video game!"?

Spain
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 12:11 am

Name: Griffin Tajfel

I'm a douche on the level of that chick who stole the other chick's recipe.

Botswana
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 7:13 am

Name: that drunk chick

i love cockeyed

Northern Ireland
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 7:28 am

Name: Alan Sailer

Glad you got some frontier justice. I have been randomly informed at least three times that someone was using one of my photographs to try and win a contest. Each time I emailed the thief and they backed down. The internets have eyes and they are watching you....

United States
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 7:56 am

Name: Andy Warhol

Hey, that Griffin guy ripped me off with his twitter profile pic.

United States
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 9:02 am

Name: Barack Obama

I'm proud of you for exemplifying the kind of creativity, resourcefulness and grace in the face of adversity that make our nation great. I hereby proclaim November 11, 2010 Rob Cockerham Day. You may take the day off from work.

United States
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 11:22 am

Name: Jyl

Congratulations, Rob! Glad to see your many years of construction awesome costumes has paid off big time this year! Very happy for you!

United States
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 11:38 am

Name: Jimbob Jones

Wow, that guy's a douche. Somehow, he thinks he deserves recognition for stealing other people's work.

United States
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 12:30 pm

Name: Chelsea Clinton

Dude- you got Griggs'ed!

Belarus
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 1:57 pm

Name: Rob Cockerham

Is there a name for cashing in on Griggs'ed mania?

United Arab Emirates
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 2:07 pm

Name: Gary Pringles

So, 11/11 is Rob Cockerham Day 'cause he got some frontier justice? That's the day we'll all be doing this: http://www.newrealitytransmission.com/

United States
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 7:31 pm

Name: Michael

Um, didn't you sell the costume? Can't the guy purchase it and then use it how he wants? What did you think people were going to do with a costume that they bought?

Afghanistan
Wednesday 10th of November 2010 10:24 pm

Name: Toby

True, I guess Michael, but then it should have been a picture of him wearing the costume not Rob, so he's still a total dick

United Kingdom
Thursday 11th of November 2010 1:25 am

Name: Jeff

Was the Doc Octopus costume stolen? If you sold it or gave it away, then it seems the new owner should be able to do as they please, including entering and winning costume contests. Unless there is a rule in the contest stating the costume must have been constructed by the entrant, I think you may owe someone a football.

United States
Thursday 11th of November 2010 6:45 am

Name: Griffin Tajfel

I have no morals. Sorry.

Afghanistan
Thursday 11th of November 2010 7:49 am

Name: Bystander

Funny how people don't know what Rob looks like.

Andorra
Thursday 11th of November 2010 2:58 pm

Name: Moopsie

Not so fast, buckaroos, I think that Rob might actually BE Dr. Octopus, so therefore it's not a halloween costume, it's his supercriminal apparatus, and therefore not eligible.

Egypt
Friday 12th of November 2010 12:55 pm