| | AUSTIN, Texas -- Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson surprised lottery officials when he showed up at their headquarters Thursday to claim his $10.43 million prize.
Henderson, who relished the spotlight when he played in the NFL, told lottery officials he wants minimal press coverage, said Kristina Childress, a lottery spokeswoman.
Henderson, accompanied by his lawyer, entered the offices through a secret passageway.
"It was a total surprise. We didn't even know he was coming in today," Childress said.
Henderson, who also played for the Houston Oilers in a career plagued by drug use, purchased the winning Lotto Texas ticket drawing last week at an Austin pharmacy.
The ticket with the Nos. 5, 8, 17, 35, 38 and 41 passed a preliminary validation by the lottery, and was declared official Thursday when Henderson brought it into the Austin headquarters.
Henderson, 47, hit the March 22 drawing that had a $28 million jackpot. Because he chose a lump sum, he'll receive $10,433,690 after taxes. The funds will be transferred electronically within the week, Childress said.
The prize was awarded to HHH Fifty-Six Investments Ltd. of Austin, a partnership of HHH Fifty-Six Management Inc., of which Henderson is president.
Henderson, who served 28 months in prison in California after a 1983 drug arrest, said Friday that he wanted to use a portion of the money to continue supporting his charities.
"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. | |
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