CARNEY, MD—A 61-year-old Baltimore veteran is calling himself “Million Dollar Man” after winning a $1 million top prize on a Maryland Lottery scratch-off.

The bus driver said he regularly plays Racetrax and scratch-offs on the weekend and started adding the Hot 777 game to his purchases when it went on sale in April.

The day he won his fortune started off on the wrong note for “Million Dollar Man.” After arriving at work, he realized he had left his phone at home. He also felt that something “out of the normal” would happen to him that day. On his way home to retrieve his phone, “Million Dollar Man” stopped at a Royal Farms store in Carney to play his numbers.

After winning a little on his first purchase, he chose the $20 Hot 777 scratch-off because of its $1 million top prize. He scratched off the game and noticed he won, assuming the prize was $1,000 until he scanned the instant ticket and learned the true story.

“Million Dollar Man” is no stranger to winning. As a weekly player, the lucky grandfather has won a few thousand dollars before but this is the most he’s won at one time.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many zeros together,” he said, smiling from ear to ear.

When asked how he will spend his surprising fortune, “Million Dollar Man” said he will invest the prize in a high-yield savings account. He hopes to make other investments for his four grandchildren, too.

He purchased the winning scratch-off at the Royal Farms located at 2410 East Joppa Road (21234).

Photo via Pixabay