Longtime friends promised to split lottery if they ever won. Guess what? THEY WON $22 Million!

ELKMOUND, WISCONSIN – Years ago, Thomas Cook and Joseph Feeney made a pact: if either of them ever won the lottery, they’d split the winnings. Then they shook on it. 

Twenty eight years later, Cook kept his word. HE won a whopping $22 million playing the Powerball. And true to his word, he reached out to his old fishing buddy Feeney.

Nearly 30 years later the numbers came up for Tom – and he honoured the deal.

Joe said he was stunned when his friend called to say they were sharing the $22m (£17m) jackpot.

“He called me and I said, ‘are you jerking my bobber?'” said the keen fisherman.

The two men live in the Menomonie area of the US state of Wisconsin.

“Congratulations to Tom, Joe, and their families,” Wisconsin Lottery director Cindy Polzin said in a statement. “The power of friendship and a handshake has paid off. I’m thrilled for them. Their lucky day has arrived.”

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are estimated to be one in about 292 million.

The two men decided to take a cash option of about $16.7m which means that – after federal and state taxes – each will take home about $5.7m.

Tom decided to retire after learning about the win while Joe was already retired. They say they are looking forward to spending more time with family. 

“We can pursue what we feel comfortable with. I can’t think of a better way to retire,” said Tom.

Tom bought the winning $2 Powerball ticket at a shop in Menomonie for the draw on 10 June.

WOW. When a $2 investment turns into a $22 Million come up.

The big thing to recognize here is that he obviously set an intent to win the lottery and never gave up. He even kept his word. There were lots of things in play for him to manifest this money. Job well done, Thomas Cook.

Another lesson that I’ve recently learned is the importance of having good, honorable friends. They will change your life.