The Week in Review: Free pizza for a year? Well, perhaps not

As you’ve been reminded all day no doubt, 11-year-old Cody Collins sank a half-court shot during a promotion at a Kennesaw State (Ga.) basketball game, winning what the university said was “Free pizza for one year.” Well, not exactly … unless Cody has a dainty appetite, or has no friends.

I called the national media rep for Papa John’s Pizza, which sponsored the promotion, and she told me this: What Cody actually won was a “$500 Papa card,” which is a gift card good at any Papa John’s outlet. Sure, that will buy a lot of pizza; but speaking as a former 11-year-old boy, I’d estimate that card will run out by about … June 1. No way it makes it through next February. Papa John’s media spokesperson Tish Muldoon sees the glass half full, however.

“There’s no expiration date on the card,” she told me by phone. “So if he doesn’t use it up in a year, it’s still good thereafter.”

Doesn’t use it up in a year? Not to be cynical here — it’s still a great prize — but a preteen boy and his friends with a free pizza credit card? I retract my June 1 prediction. That thing might be maxed out already.

Other leftovers from this week, served piping hot:

• Bolivian town holds its own soccer team hostage.

• That college basketball coach who decked his own player at practice? He resigned. But only after being browbeaten by George Stephanopolous.

• The guy who allegedly poisoned the Auburn trees wanted to name his daughter Ally Bama Updyke until his wife stopped him.

• Ronaldo wore diapers during a tournament in 1999. And scored five goals. Who’s a big boy now?

• Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson back the unions in Wisconsin.

• Former Red Sox hurler Charlie Zink had his rehab set back when he hurt his neck on the Harry Potter ride.

Thanks for reading, muggles. Please enjoy the weekend musical stylings of Rob Sylvester.

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