Calgary Stampeders Brandon Smith (28) misses the tackle on Edmonton Eskimos Kendial Lawrence (32) during first half action in Edmonton, Alta., on Thursday July 24, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.
Republished July 25, 2014 - 10:31 AM
Original Publication Date July 25, 2014 - 7:35 AM
EDMONTON - The Edmonton Eskimos say a 20-year-old man has won the largest 50-50 draw in the football club's history.
The CFL team says Connor Croken of Edmonton presented the winning ticket worth $348,534 when the Eskimos office opened this morning.
Tickets were sold during a game Thursday night against the Calgary Stampeders, which the Eskimos lost 26-22.
The game drew more than 40,000 people, many of whom stood in line for much of the first half to buy tickets.
The draw had grown dramatically when a $71,000 prize from July 11 home game went unclaimed and was carried over.
Croken won't have the money for this weekend — the club says it will present him with a cheque on Tuesday.
The draw is usually made during the game, but because ticket sales were so heavy on Thursday, the team released the winning numbers on its website overnight.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014