Thomas Cook splitted jackpot with his Wisconsin friend Joseph Feeney to honor the made promise they made with each other.

The Wisconsin friends in 1992 held each other's hands and promised that anyone of them that ever win the Powerball jackpot shall split the lottery winnings with the other.

28 years after making the promise, Thomas Cook of Elk Mound honored the promise when he purchased the winning ticket for a $22 million jackpot at a gas station in Menomonie in June.

"It was quite an experience. When I read the first two or three numbers, I kind of froze", said Cook in an interview Thursday with the Wisconsin Lottery. He revealed that he was eating breakfast at the time. He passed the ticket to his wife and "she froze" also. The next thing he did after realizing he won was to call his buddy.

Feeney of Menomonie revealed that he thought Cook was joking when he received the call. "that happened many years ago", he said but Cook replied him saying "A handshake's a handshake, man" even though "that happened many years ago".

Feeney revealed that both of them would buy lottery tickets every week but never thought they would actually win.

Wisconsin Lottery press revealed that the friends chose the cash option of about $16.7 million and they will take home roughly $5.7 million after federal and state taxes.

Feeney had already retired from the fire department before the occurrence. Cook, who has children and grand children, retired from his job after the winning as revealed by the press release.

None of them had any profligate plan for the money but both revealed that they want to spend more time with their family and explore the world.

"We can pursue what we feel comfortable with," Cook said in the interview. "I can't think of a better way to retire."

The state's lottery director congratulated the friends on their big win. $100,000 was awarded to the Menomonie gas station for selling Cook the ticket.

“The power of friendship and a handshake has paid off. I’m thrilled for them — their lucky day has arrived!” Cindy Polzin said in a statement.

https://featured24.com/man-fulfils-28-year-old-promise-splits-22m-lottery-winnings-with-friend/

Lalasticlala

In Nigeria, even if you swear by Amadioha plus Shango, some folks will still deny agreement when money comes

Real and true friends...

I'm the only nigerian dat can keep dis kind of promise..though,no longer a nigerian.

In Nigeria, person dey kill each other because of 1K

Before I opened the thread I told myself that this person is not a Nigeria and voilà I wasn't disappointed.

Congratulations, but favour really know how to follow some people imagine that amount ...is well ooo

scam ex lottery employee

Righteousness89:
If Mere men who are Friends could keep the promise they made to themselves after 28years, then Imagine all the Promises of the KING of kings..

HE said, He would die on the cross , pay the Price of our sins , and would Resurrect on the 3rd day! He Fulfilled that!

HE said "I go to Prepare a place for you, and I will come back and Receive you! Friends HE never Fails! JESUS is Coming back again!! Are you Prepared!!!!!

lalasticlala Mynd44 ...Is there no longer rules for spamming and preaching in every thread on Nairaland? Can't you guys rein on this guy,?

Which tribe can do this in Nigeria o

If it were to be Nigeria his relatives will tell him that his promise were mere words that can be broken without repercussions

I am

espn:
Real and true friends...

very hard to find!

I am such a friend! Very Royal to my friends...
But always get disappointed when am down.
Now I have no friends.

this will appear very unimaginable to an idea Nigerian

CilicMarin:



lalasticlala Mynd44 ...Is there no longer rules for spamming and preaching in every thread on Nairaland? Can't you guys rein on this guy,?

Do you have any problem with him?