Baltimore Fan Scores $50K Win With $5 Ravens Scratch-Off

BALTIMORE, MD — Although the Baltimore Ravens lost in overtime to the Chicago Bears last weekend, one diehard “Ravens Fan” did enjoy a victory. The Baltimore City resident happily claimed a $50,000 prize on Monday that he won playing a Maryland Lottery Ravens scratch-off. The father of three had almost thrown the big winner away and didn’t believe he won until he arrived at Lottery headquarters and had his win confirmed, according to a news release.

“Ravens Fan,” as he dubbed himself, bought his scratch-off by accident, too. While shopping at Weis Markets #85 in Baltimore, “Ravens Fan” put money in the Lottery vending machine to buy two Powerball tickets and one Ravens scratch-off. The Lottery retailer located at 7848 Wise Avenue is one of his favorites.

Realizing too late that the machine was not able to give change, “Ravens Fan” decided to use the remaining $5 to grab another Ravens scratch-off before leaving the store and heading home. At first, the 35-year-old thought both of his Ravens scratch-offs were non-winners.

“I was about to throw it in the trash and I said, ‘Wait, let me look at this again,’” he told Maryland Lottery officials. After scrutinizing the scratch-off, the astonished man looked over at his significant other and said, “Baby, we won!”

She didn’t believe him – at first. “I said, ‘You’re playing a trick on me,’” she recalled with a smile.

Even though they weren’t certain if the instant ticket was really worth $50,000, they didn’t want to take any chance of the scratch-off getting lost or stolen. “Ravens Fan” hid the instant ticket in the basement behind his high school diploma. On Monday, he took a day off from his job as a Coca Cola merchandiser to visit Lottery headquarters with his girlfriend.

They are still unsure how they will spend the prize but their ideas include buying a new vehicle, making a down payment on a house and spending some of the prize on a birthday party for one of their sons.

PHOTO: “Ravens Fan” and his girlfriend flew into Lottery headquarters with a $50,000 winning Ravens scratch-off. Courtesy of the Maryland Lottery