For Honolulu's Robert Jacobson, 46, the "curse has ended."

After years of playing — and not winning — Pigskin Picks, Jacobson was the Week 5 winner of the contest. He correctly picked the winners of 14 of 15 games. His ballot was selected as the winner from many who also had 14 of 15 correct.

He wins a trip for two to Las Vegas and $500.

"That is a relief," said Jacobson, who admitted that he's played the game "too many years."

Jacobson was told by co-worker Tony Fontillas that he had won. Jacobson is hearing impaired.

His mother, Rosemarie, of Oxnard, Calif., said Robert was born "with hearing loss" but that didn't stop him from playing soccer and earning letters in swimming and wrestling while at Los Alamitos High School in Orange County, Calif.

"He's a special son in a very good way," said Rosemarie, who has four children.

Jacobson, who has worked as a computer-assisted drawing operator for Alaka'i Mechanical Corp. for the past 20 years, said his strategy is to "watch games on Saturday and Sunday and read papers."

Jacobson picked such upsets as Auburn over Florida and the Detroit Lions over the Chicago Bears.

"I knew Detroit would win over Chicago. Detroit will make the playoffs," he wrote via e-mail.