'Hollywood' Henderson.
Ex-Dallas Cowboy Football Player Strikes It Rich With $28 Million Dollar Win!
Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson, who wrecked his NFL career with his drug use and bottomed out in prison, had a colossal change of fortune.
He hit a $28 million Texas Lotto jackpot!
"I always knew I was going to win it," Hernderson said.
Henderson said that he was financially secure when he won and played the Lotto Texas for fun whenever prizes exceeded $20 million dollars. In the Wednesday March 22, 2000 drawing he had purchased 100 tickets. He bought 'Quick Picks', allowing the computer to pick the numbers.
"I am just going to continue to do the charities that I do, take care of my children and buy my momma a Town Car," he said.
The 47-year-old Henderson said he celebrated the big win in bed with powdered doughnuts, sausage and biscuits and a glass of milk. Had it been 15 years ago, he said, "it would have been laced with some cocaine and alcohol and the whole insanity."
Henderson played for the Cowboys from 1975 until they cut him in 1979 because of constant drug problems. After getting fired he had an acting career that went nowhere and then in 1983 was arrested for smoking crack with two teenage girls. For this he served two years and four months in prison.
Happily he cleaned up his act in the early 90's and has spent most of his time since doing community service, motivational speeches, and trying to help kids avoid the dangers he encountered.
He said hitting the jackpot is even more special because he is sober.
"The thing is, I have always known how to be successful. It's just that I didn't know how to handle it," he said. "Today, I know how to handle success and that's what's important."
Henderson said he bought the winning ticket at Nau's Drug, a family-owned pharmacy where he is a regular customer. He said he has spent about $20,000 on the lottery in 10 years.
"He's a real nice guy," said Jim Cox, a cashier at Nau's, which stands to get about $280,000 for selling the winning ticket. "He does a lot for the kids in the community. I know he'll do a lot more for the kids now."
Henderson chose to take a lump sum of about $14 million instead of 25 annual installments. After federal taxes, he will get about $10 million.
When asked by the Dallas Morning News what he does every day now that he won the lottery, Henderson responded, "Not a damn thing, and I don't start that until after lunch."
Click Here for the secret to winning lottery money!
