Lottery Player Celebrates Birthday and Wins Second-Chance Saints Game-Day Experience
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As a birthday tradition, Herman Hamilton of Franklin said he always gifts himself with $20 worth of Louisiana Lottery scratch-offs. For his 66th birthday this year, he chose the $5 BLACK & GOLD SAINTS game, won $50 on one ticket and mailed in the nonwinning tickets for the Lottery's first Saints Second-Chance Drawing where he walked away with an even bigger present - a Saints VIP game-day experience of a lifetime.
"When I got the call from the Lottery that my ticket had been selected, it just made my century!" he exclaimed. As part of his prize package, the retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant and St. Mary Parish bridge tender will attend his first-ever Saints game in style with four Plaza Club Sideline seats at the Sept. 22 home game against Arizona, including pregame field passes for his party.
Hamilton's nonwinning BLACK & GOLD SAINTS scratch-off ticket was selected as the Lottery's 2013 Saints Prize Package winner from among 7,500 entries in the game's first second-chance drawing that took place Sept. 4. Hamilton was excited to share the opportunity with family members. In addition to game tickets and field passes, he also received a parking pass, overnight hotel accommodations, a $200 dinner allotment and $500 spending cash.
"As my grandmother would say, 'Every day is not the same'," said Hamilton when he received his prize package at the Louisiana Lottery Lafayette Regional Office, "a month ago I wasn't a winner, and today I am!"
A Saints fan for over 40 years, Hamilton displays his more treasured Saints memorabilia in a special room in his home. He said he is on "cloud 10!" to have the opportunity to add this new experience to that collection.
In addition to Hamilton's prize package, nine Official Autographed Saints Merchandise Prizes were also awarded during the Lottery's second-chance drawing. Kathleen Randolph of Houma, Lynda Southard of Youngsville and Angela Schexneider of Lafayette each won an autographed jersey. Eric Foret of Houma, Stacy Russo of Luling and Jessica Beavers of Downsville each won an autographed helmet. Janice Heiken of Avondale, Charles Hebert Jr. of Houma and Donna Santiny of Larose each won an autographed football.
The Lottery reminded players that the deadline for its second BLACK & GOLD SAINTS second-chance drawing is Monday, Oct. 7. During the next drawing, nine entries will be selected to win an official Saints autographed helmet, football or jersey. In addition, one winner will be selected to receive a 2013 Saints Prize Package to the Saints vs. Buffalo game on Oct. 27.
To enter the second-chance drawing, players should complete the information on the back of non-winning $5 BLACK & GOLD SAINTS scratch-off tickets and mail one ticket per envelope no larger than 4.5" by 9.5" to the address printed on the back of the ticket. The entry must arrive at the second-chance drawing address by the Oct. 7 deadline to be entered into the second drawing; otherwise, it will be entered into the third drawing. Players can enter as many times as they wish, but each entry should be mailed in a separate envelope.
The National Football League, its member professional football clubs, NFL Ventures, Inc., NFL Ventures, L.P., NFL Properties LLC, NFL Enterprises LLC and each of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, shareholders, officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees (collectively, the "NFL Entities") will have no liability or responsibility for any claim arising in connection with participation in this lottery or the prize awarded. The NFL Entities have not offered or sponsored this lottery in any way.
Lottery ticket purchasers and second-chance drawing entrants must be at least 21 years of age. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available by calling 1-877-770-7867. For security purposes, the Lottery encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing. Complete rules and entry deadlines can be found on the Lottery's website.