Update: Minn. Trick-Shot Twins Denied $50,000 Contest Prize
- Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:43am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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A few weeks ago, we asked if you could report your sons for pulling off a “switcharoo” during a hockey trick-shot contest, thus robbing them of the $50,000 prize. That’s what one father in Minnesota did. At the time, we reported that the insurance company sponsoring the contest was deciding if it would still pay up. It’s now decided. And the boys don’t get the money — but there’s a catch.
In short, 11-year-old Nate Smith — who made an incredible hockey shot during a charity event — won’t collect the prize because his twin brother Nick should have taken the shot. Nick‘s name was called but he wasn’t around. So Nate filled in by posing as his brother. And this is what happened:
What you just saw is the puck going through a tiny, three-and-a-half inch hole from 89 feet away.
The company that insured the event, Odds On Promotions, said Wednesday that rather than giving the boys the $50,000 it would instead donate $20,000 to youth hockey in Minnesota in the boys’ names.
The boys’ father, Pat, ended up telling organizers the next day about the swap. He said Wednesday the boys are disappointed but excited youth hockey will benefit.
In an unscientific Blaze poll posed on the original story, 80.55% of readers said they would have done what Pat did, 7.14% said they wouldn’t, and 12.32% said it would be right to do what Pad did but they wouldn’t be strong enough.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (91)
ANewActivist
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:35amI totally disagree with this decision. It was the TICKET that got the shot and doesn’t really matter who made the shot. The scenario should have gone something like this.
The boy should have said his brother wasn’t there and he was going to take the shot for him. There is no way, given the odds against making the shot, that he would have been denied.
Whle the boy did sort of misrepresent himself, I think it was the ticket that got the shot and it really doesn’t matter who took it.
Report Post »ANewActivist
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:00pmP.S. As I understood the article last week, a name was not required on the ticket. It was the dad that wrote the name on the ticket.
Report Post »Coffeehead
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:05pmA NAME was on the ticket. A NAME was called and the DAD lied and sent another kid in because the NAMED kid wasn’t there. Why is this hard to understand? Is it because most Americans would rather lie or cheat that play by the rules? It seems so.
Report Post »Seabee79
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:37pmI disagree, the kid that got the tic didn’t take the shot they lied. hopefully this is a good lesson for the youngins.
Report Post »ANewActivist
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:49pmCoffeehead: I totally realize that a name was called but I’m thinking “so what”.
Imagine that you bought a couple of raffle tickets for your kids. You write the name of one kid on a ticket and the other kid on the other ticket. A name on the ticket is not required. Now the winning ticket is drawn and it just happens to be for your kid, the one who was unable to attend the raffle for whatever reason.
Are you really going to tell me you wouldn‘t accept the prize because the name YOU wrote on the ticket belonged to the kid that wasn’t there? Really?
Report Post »Mr. Vitriol
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:06pm@NewActivist. To answer your question: Yes. It’s people like you who justify themselves to corruption.
Report Post »ANewActivist
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:38pmIF the name on the ticket was NOT a requirement then… you guys are just plain wrong!
Report Post »Gates
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:04pmWhat the puck!! Those in charge of putting up the prize just missed a REAL opportunity to be seen publically. They should have bent over backwards to not only reward the child who made the shot but to be generous to a charity as well. To cut the award by more than 50% and decide unilaterally to make a “charitible” contribution just stinks of cheapness and cop out. Whoever made that decision is ab idiot!
Report Post »Disnylv
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:10pmWHAT did the Dad stay quiet last night? WOW better late than never
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 6:41pmNot worth the paper it was written on. like all paper stuff;s.
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:12pmHe had a ticket …he made the shot… pay him ya cheap bums!
Report Post »WeDontNeedNoStinkingBadges
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 4:31amThis decision was a no-brainer … but odd to see such common sense in today’s America.
Report Post »BoondockPatriot
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:35amI have to agree with ANEWACTIVIST; it’s the ticket,not the person. Explaining the logic and reasoning isn’t “justifying” anything wrong. How it would have gone down if the name wasn’t on the ticket:
Report Post »Announcer: Ticket #312789, please come to the ice and take a shot.
Dad: OK Nate, that‘s Nick’s ticket, but he’s in the bathroom. Since I bought the ticket, I can give it to you so it doesn’t go to waste. Want to take the shot?
Nate: Sure, dad. I just hope in some alternate universe the swap won’t bite us in the butt.
UFOCPrez
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:35pmSo if your lotto ticket falls out of your pocket and I pick it up and win $50 million you are ok with that? It’s the ticket right?
Report Post »UFOCPrez
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 1:37pmSo if your lotto ticket falls out of your pocket and I pick it up and win $50 million you are ok with that? It’s the ticket right?
Report Post »blazefanamerica
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:34amFrom what I remember of the story being reported last week, a ticket number was called, not a name. The dad had put the names on the parts they had.
Report Post »ThomasUSA
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:18amA greater reward than the money is self-respect and personal dignity.. This is the spirit of being an American and I applaud this family for being a model of the values and principles that have made America and her people exceptional!
Report Post »johnsell
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:31amI agree! Honesty is what is lacking in this world and this is a good reminder that it still exists and is admirable and makes one feel good about themselves and others.
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:08am“See, kids? Honesty gets you nowhere.”
Lesson indeed.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:23amNo wonder the kids are so screwed up nowadays. Look at you. It was not the kid whose name was called that took the shot. Case closed. The father did the right thing.
Report Post »KNaggieland
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:42amThe insurance company has been the only one to act with any integrity here. Honesty after the fact is not integrity, it is correcting a previously bad behavior.
Here is how it works, the kids name was called probably at random (the article does not say but usually these are random drawings) Since the named person was not called they would probably have accepted his brother as a fill in but it is just as likely they would randomly draw a new name for the chance. What the father and the boy named nick did was cheat another contestant out of his/her chance to claim the prize and that is shameful, just shameful!
Since the dishonesty was not revealed until after the event it could not be corrected. Somewhere out there is a kid who was robbed of their chance to honestly collect $50k. The fact that the insurance company is donating $20k shows that their commitment to the youth hockey is very serious even in the face of dishonest folks such as the father and his son Nick, we do not know if Nate is dishonest as he had nothing to do with this.
So kudos to the insurance company and shame on Nick and his father for setting such an awful example.
Report Post »jedidiah
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:52amI hope you have kids, grand kids, nephews and nieces. If not, teach the neighbors’ kids. May God bless.
Report Post »Mr. Vitriol
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:08am@Knagg Great post. Thanks for making the issue clear. I actually thought, “come on. Let the boy keep the money. Who cares if he told a little lie. Besides, he’s (genetically) nearly the same person.” You’ve convinced me that 100% honesty is the way it always should be. I’m going to try to be more honest now in all that I do.
Report Post »KNaggieland
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:09am@Jed,
I have 3 kids and one on the way. My oldest is a proud US soldier, and I am damn proud of him. He and a few of his fellow soldiers were involved in an incident involving afterhours partying, he was not caught but he came forward on his own and demanded to be punished the same as the rest. Instead he was ordered to escort the others to their various disciplinary details. I think that actually hurt him more than if he would have been punished with the rest. The fact that he confessed his indiscretion to me and wanted my advice justifies my pride in him still. No matter how big or small the offence he owns it, and he owns it well. He is my personal reminder of why God loved king David.
Report Post »Coffeehead
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:08pmGreat post Knagg…well put.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 4:04pmYour son has a wise NCO
Report Post »Billis820
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:36amIf he had kept his mouth shut he’d have $50,000 he could be saving for his kids college. Just remember Cheaters always win unless they are dumb enough to get caught.
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:43amCheaters are LOSERS!!!
Report Post »jedidiah
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:48amDear Mr. Beck:
I think you might be wrong. It’s possible that there is no hope for our country. None.
Every day as I read the revealing comments at this and other sites, I become less optimistic. But each day I also think a little bit more what an opportunity it might be to start anew on the shoulders of Jefferson, Madison, Washington.
Come on Bill. Step up.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:06am@jedidiah— Focus!….try to comment on the article or at least something resembling it!
Report Post »Mr. Vitriol
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:11amBill, I initially thought the same thing as you. After reading Knagg’s post, I can see my way of thinking was the wrong way. Thanks goodness there are still greater moral people than me out there, or at least people to point out the higher moral road.
Report Post »loveliberty83
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:26amshould have given it to the boy just because of honesty—they already deduct charity off of taxes this would have been a great way to teach honesty is the best policy
Report Post »drybackinpi
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:23amI spent most of my life in Minn. It‘s hard to find a place that’s not a better place to live. …I’m a Texan now.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:07am@drybackinpi— I’m sure Minnesota thanks you for moving!
Report Post »Coffeehead
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:13pmRight on. Your left MN before the DFL or the mosquitoes sucked your brains out. (born in Brainerd) Escaped to IL. Now our STATE debt is so bad, I should be in TX.
Report Post »rl
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:52amTheyprobably spent $500,000.00 to keep from paying the kid $50,000.00……
Report Post »jedidiah
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:14amActually, they donated $20,000 to something important to the kids that they didn’t owe.
Report Post »Dr.Doofenschmirtz
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:50amIf the father/son would have told the organizers that they would have to wait for the selected brother or have his twin take the shot, organizers would have let the twin take the shot and he would have legitimately won. Since they weren’t up front, they have no right to play, much less win.
The father did the right thing after the fact, but if he were honest initially, there would have been no issue.
That said, the insurance company should have either given the proper son a shot for the same (or double) stakes, or donated the full $50k to youth hockey. The way they did it makes them look like they’re trying to reduce the bill.
Report Post »jedidiah
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:16amTwo out of three is pretty good for this thread. Congratulations.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:21amYo Dr.
Report Post »I disagree… they made an agreement that agreement was not honored (lying) That means they owe nobody nothing. It’s their money they can do what they want with it. I thought what they did was generous.
aggiebrewer
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:45amThe supposition in your post is epic. Ifs and buts are not logic nor truth.
Report Post »Pokerjoe
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 5:35pmYour right. If they had told them they would have let the other kid let her fly. And all would be happy!!!!
Report Post »MaryRI
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:40amFirst rule of the insurance industry“ ”Don’t Pay”……
Report Post »jedidiah
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:22amActually the first rule, it’s actually a law in every single state, is pay every contractually legitimate claim. They have another rule too; a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders to not pay contractually illegitimate claims.
Boy, Jedidiah sure loves Insurance companies — What did you say, Jedidiah is an insurance bad faith attorney. What does that mean? It means he sues insurance companies for a living that do not pay contractually legitimate claims.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:32amThe insurance company covered themselves both ways….. smooth move!
Report Post »Nemo13
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:32amThe father is an idiot. The insurance company got freakin lucky. Whatta deal.
Report Post »Escapee1
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:39amNemo, gotta go against you on this one…Dad showed his sons what honesty is all about…An expensive lesson but nevertheless, a GREAT example! And the insurance company could have wussed out and not paid a dime but good to see that they stepped up and did something too!
Report Post »jedidiah
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:27amThanks Escapee1
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:33amThe Father is NOt an idiot. Unlike you he has integrity. Anyone who puts money above the right thing to do is just selfish garbage in my book.
Report Post »RavenGlenn
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:35pm@RR: If the father had let the boys keep the money, how would that of been selfish? In fact, he should have set them both up college funds for later. While the boy‘s name wasn’t the correct one, he still made the incredible shot as a replacement for his brother.
I’m definitely on the fence on this one. I can see the point that he wanted to teach his sons about honesty, but now they are out $50,000 for it. With today’s college costs…$50,000 is just too damned valuable to give up for something like having the wrong twin make a lucky shot.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:17amThis is almost like someone sitting in and taking a finals for you. Is this fair? Truth is the best policy always and everyone walks away feeling good.
Report Post »jedidiah
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:24amThank you Darla.
Report Post »blazingaway
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:16amI wouldn’t buy a thing from this insurance company.
Report Post »They are too stupid to understand value and good will.
The amount of free brand name awareness they have gotten from this story is well worth more than 20K or 50K. Instead of showing gratitude and making this into a story of nobility and greatness they take the cheap way out and destroy their branding. Idiots, total idiots! The parent does the right thing, they don’t!
aggiebrewer
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:47amYea, get the rich right? Get ‘em! Get ‘em!
Report Post »Respect the law not the man and you might get a clue.
Darla_K
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 11:37amIsn’t this what the administration is doing in Washington? Cheating? Should we give them a free pass?
Report Post »Coffeehead
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:16pmThe parent only did the right thing after doing the wrong thing. And you want to reward that? The insurance company is a COMPANY, read that…free market….profit….playing by rules. Their stockholders don’t like it when they dole out someone elses money to cheaters. Come on conservatives, look in your butt and find your moral compass.
Report Post »glashole
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:07amThe insurance company should give the other brother one chance to get the $30k so they do not end up looking like schmucks. Go Av’s.
Report Post »Live_Free_orDie
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:03amThis is BS and typical of insurance companies<<<anyway to weasel out of paying..and the father (idiot) should have applauded the actions of his son to stand up for his brother who was not available.
Report Post »jedidiah
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:08amI‘m sure you’re not serious; that you just think your clever or cutting-edge controversial. But I don’t know, perhaps you are George Carlin Jr. I suspect, however, that it’s less complicated than that; seems more likely that you simply have an innate awareness of both weasels and idiots. Did I get close?
I’m reminded of the immortal words of Dean Wermer: Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.
Report Post »affinnity
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:03amWho cares what name was on the ticket? It was a contest that paid fifty thousand for doing something – that something was making the shot. Any kid who made the shot should win the prize for making the shot.
Report Post »jedidiah
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 10:36amWho cares that I burned my own house down? The insurance was because the house burned down right? Sounds like a lot of you are supporters of the individual mandate; who cares if you didn’t have “insurance” when you got terminal cancer.
Alright, that’s enough – it’s all I can take. Time to go to work anyway and sue insurance companies who actually are acting in bad faith. There’s plenty of them, you don’t need to pick on one generous enough — whether out of self-interest or not — to donate $20,000 they didn’t owe.
Report Post »randy
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:01amIt has anything to do with integrity. The father knew the truth would come out eventually.
Report Post »randy
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:19amSorry, I meant to say, it has “nothing” to do with integrity, not “anything”
Report Post »MBA
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:01amNot to worry, he probably already has offers for college scholarships, etc.
Report Post »harumph
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:56amHow ’bout double-or nothin’?
How difficult would it have been to say, “Can you wait a few minutes? My son isn’t here right now, but I’ll go get him.”
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:56amI guess that’s fair enough. Easy come, easy go. These kids learned a lesson, much more valuable than $50,000.
Report Post »TheDebtWeAllPay
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:54amI wanna know how many people have actually made that shot i say give him the money
Report Post »atechgeek
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:51amIntegrity … this country needs more of it.
Report Post »Docrow
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:16amyup
Report Post »DanWesson455
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:47amFigures. Insurance Company probably is spending it right now on a Company Picnic or some other venue. I blame the Dad. He started it.
Report Post »DanWesson455
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 8:50amAlthough the Insurance Company is coming out smelling like a rose with the donation to Youth Hockey.
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