Photo credit: www.tvinsider.com

Colby Burnett Reflects on His Journey Since Jeopardy!

Colby Burnett has made a name for himself in the world of trivia, becoming the first contestant to win both the Teachers’ Tournament in 2012 and the Tournament of Champions in 2013. Recently, he reappeared in the 2024 Invitational Tournament. Initially, Burnett was a high school teacher hailing from Oak Park, Illinois, but he currently serves as a College Counselor at ITW David Speer Academy in Chicago. In a recent episode of the Tell Us About Yourself Podcast on February 1, Burnett discussed how his participation in the iconic game show significantly enhanced his personal relationships and even led him to meet his future wife.

Burnett shared insights into the recognition he receives following his game show appearances. He expressed gratitude for the positive interactions with fans, noting that it has been a “gift that keeps on giving.” He enjoys engaging with people who approach him to talk about Jeopardy! and is particularly proud of how he used his winnings to buy a house for his mother in Chicago, a gesture that speaks volumes about his family values. You can find more about this heartfelt decision in a previous article here.

He recounted the initial reluctance of his mother, who was hesitant about him spending his money on her. However, Burnett felt strongly about making this investment since she had never owned her own home. Growing up, he and his mother shared living arrangements with his grandparents.

“The $100,000 I received, after taxes, funded that purchase. I reached a point in my life where I could say ‘if I do anything with these winnings, I’m getting my mom a house,’” Burnett explained during his podcast appearance.

Reflecting on the community he found through Jeopardy!, he praised its warmth, noting that there are “not many villains” within it. “I look around and see a lot of friends and the potential to make new connections easily,” he commented.

A notable friendship that blossomed through the show is with Ben Ingram, who won the Tournament of Champions the following season. Their friendship began on set and has thrived since then. “It just popped out of nowhere,” Burnett said, describing how they quickly connected and eventually invited each other to their weddings.

The bond continued during the pandemic when Burnett, Ingram, and other Jeopardy! contestants stayed connected through Zoom meetings where they would catch up and play games.

As a child, Burnett identified as a “nerd” and struggled to make friends, which led him to be thankful for the supportive group he found later on. “I was glad to have that group to fall back on,” he reflected.

An unexpected outcome of his time on Jeopardy! was finding his spouse, Janet Wasilewski. They married in 2022 after his step-daughter saw Burnett on the show and encouraged her mother to reach out to him. Their connection blossomed from a simple message on social media, leading to marriage.

“I will always be grateful for meeting my wife and for maintaining a strong group of friends because of the show,” he said, expressing his appreciation.

Burnett’s upbringing in a challenging neighborhood shaped his perspective on friendships. The company he kept often gravitated towards negative influences, whereas his mother sought to nurture his intellect by providing encyclopedias. “The show has given my mother a home, provided me with a family, and created a large circle of friends. It brought me the exact type of fame I desired in my life,” he stated.

When attending conventions, he mentioned that only a couple of fans out of tens of thousands approach him, which he finds preferable. “I am so glad it is two and not two thousand,” he remarked, highlighting his comfort level with his level of recognition.

As the podcast concluded, Burnett reflected fondly on a memorable conversation with former host Alex Trebek, expressing his gratitude that Trebek took an interest in his family, especially his mother.

The Tell Us About Yourself podcast features interviews with various game show contestants, releasing new episodes every Friday.

Source
www.tvinsider.com