Matt Smith had his life changed by Boston fantasy sports startup, DraftKings. Smith entered the first “Millionaire Maker” challenge on DraftKings’ site, and was the shrewd winner from nearly 100,000 entries (and, in case you’re curious, they’re hosting another millionaire competition this weekend). Of course, it was a landmark occasion for DraftKings, as well as Smith, since the glamorous millionaire challenge is a crowning achievement for the daily fantasy giant that began only a few short years ago.
“I play other sites also, but 80-90 percent DraftKings,” Smith said when BostInno got to chat with the recent winner. “I highly prefer DraftKings.” He travelled to Boston to collect his check, bringing both his wife and their young son (seen in the picture above). Despite being a little under the whether, which might’ve been natural for a Tampa resident traveling in New England during the fall, Smith was in great spirits.
“You always think there’s a shot, but obviously you don’t expect it,” he said about his win. The million dollar prize was won by an entry of merely $27. As far as his plans for the million dollars, he was definitive in saying that most of his life wouldn’t change. As a poker player who also plays daily fantasy sports frequently, the win was just affirmation of what he’s been doing (and plans to continue doing). The only new addition might be a house for their family.
“She wants to move into a bigger house, but that’s about the plan so far,” he noted, smiling at his wife, Amanda.
And Amanda Smith remembered the victory vividly. Taking place in Week 5 of the NFL season, it had a predictably close finish.
“When we won, it actually came down to the last game,” Amanda noted. Matt described the scene, noting that the Monday Night Game (Seattle vs. Washington) had several potential problems. One challenger had the Seattle defense, but the defending Super Bowl champions didn’t have their best game. The real problem was created by DeSean Jackson’s big day. And it came right down to the end of the game. Matt recalled the Monday night:
On their second to last drive, they (Washington) were down to like the five-yard line, and if he had caught a touchdown, that guy would’ve beaten me. But someone else on Washington, I think it was Andre Roberts, caught it instead. DeSean was number 11, and the other guy was number 12, and I saw the one first before the two. It still would’ve been 100,000, but 900,000 difference…
He trailed off as he pondered the difference in prizes, and understandably so. The grand prize is separated financially from second place by a massive amount, yet the final scores that decided first and second were paper thin.
“I was just kind of in shock,” Smith recalled, appropriately.
DraftKings, as mentioned before, is having another million dollar challenge this weekend. Clearly the odds are against individual entries, but the Smith family is living proof that someone out there is on the receiving end of DraftKings’ greatest prize yet.
Photos via @Haydenhbird
