Fan invited to Hall of Fame then surprised with lottery check

A lucky Ohio man walked into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday thinking he was the winner of a free visit to the museum courtesy of the Ohio Lottery. He left with a check for $250,000. The Ohio Lottery orchestrated a special surprise with the help of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s marketing staff.

Clinton Messenger was invited to tour the Hall of Fame free of charge. Although excited for the invitation, his visit became even more memorable when Lottery officials surprised him with a check for $250,000.

Messenger was the top prize drawing winner in the $5 Holiday Lucky Times Ten scratch-off game. He had bought a ticket in November 2008 that won him $1,000 and a spot in the top prize drawing.

“The surprise for Clinton was the result of a cooperative effort between the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Ohio Lottery as both entities look to grow their relationship,” commented Dave Motts, the Hall’s Vice President of Marketing/Operations.