Here are 5 million reasons to listen to your mother.
A Delta Air Lines ramp agent took his mom's advice and bought a scratch-off lottery ticket on his 28th birthday — and it turned out to be a $5 million winner.
Clarke, who lives in Queens, said his mother, Andrea, gave him $50 on Dec. 19. The next day, while visiting his girlfriend in Brooklyn for a birthday celebration, Clarke stopped at the Friendly Deli & Grocery in Brownsville.
He bought two $10 "Set for Life" scratch-offs — but never imagined he would win.
"I didn't have high hopes," he said.
Back at his girlfriend's apartment, Clarke said he scratched one of the tickets and saw a match on number 16 with the word "Life" under it, indicating he had hit the jackpot. He recalled screaming "Whoo-whoo-whoo!"
"I started laughing and dancing all around the house," said Clarke.
The first person he tried to get on the phone? Dear old mom.
Andrea, 52, a hospital worker, said she had six missed calls from her son before they were finally able to speak.
"He called me and told me," she said. "I was really happy. I couldn't believe it."
The jackpot prize was $5 million, but instead of incremental payouts, Clarke opted to take the one-time lump sum of $2,453,693.
"I was very surprised that I won the jackpot and feel very blessed. It means I won't have to worry so much," said Clarke, who said he has no plans to quit his day job.
"There will always be something to worry about, but for once, it won't be about money."
His mother has been cautioning him about what to do with the millions, telling him to spend the money wisely and not to splurge or show off.
Clarke said he is looking forward to buying his own home, where his family can live.
"I'll take it one day at a time and see," he said about any other ideas of spending the money, like taking a vacation or buying a boat.
Store owner Mohamed Ali, 42, said he was thrilled to have sold the winning ticket to Clarke.
"He called me and told me. I couldn't believe it. I was happy for him," said Ali.
"This is the first time we've had a big winner. He's lucky."
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I wonder if that is,his mom. Lol
The caption under the pic says it is Yolanda Vega, NY Lottery spokesperson.
Yep, and she is the one always introducing the winners to the public, look her up on Youtube, she loves the spot light.
Part of me thinks it's great that she soaks so much of the attention up, the other part doesn't like sthat she draws that same attention in.
Yoooolaaaaanda Veeeegaaaaa.
EDIT: "Store owner Mohamed Ali" is a nice one, too!
His odds were 6,180,000 to 1.
Here in Arizona, the most a $10 scratcher will pay is $100,000. Of the two $20 scratchers, one pays $250,000 and the other $2.5 million.
"I'll take it one day at a time and see," he said about any other ideas of spending the money, like taking a vacation or buying a boat.
The two happiest days of a man's life - the day he bought the boat and the day he sold the boat.
NICE best news I have heard all day!
Right. Uhhhhh......
Don't know about loving the spotlight part. However.....seeing that she IS the lottery "spokesperson", common sense would be that it is her job.
I'd give up a five million dollar JP just to have my mom back for one more day with her. -sniff-
I hear ya Mike. I sure miss my mom too.
Yeah. Uh...... except that other spokespeople are a bit more demure. But I'm happy you got your daily dose of condescension.
LOL.
Thanks, Max.
I'm happy that you're happy!!!
You're very welcome, Rusty!!!
More proof to Clarke that his mother is as ever tuned in and tapped on to her son's vortex of wants ... awaiting manifestation!
No It clearly reads under the photo, "New York Spokesperson"
.
Oh man, das co'd brah.
Great News for Patrick. Good Fortune to you!
"DON'T HATE, JUST CONGRAULATE "
CONGRADS PATRICK,
Now that will buy A LOT OF CAKES. HAPPY BORN DAY TO YA 
I'll post what I want. You keep posting your moronic comments.
He's so young he should have picked the full prize with incremental payouts.
"Congrats to Patrick!"
Glad this young Man listened to the number one advice giver: His Mom.
As for Yolanda Vega, I always have enjoyed her. Such an animated, happy person. New York could not have picked a better person for that cush job.
Wow that's amazing.
Nice,
But wait until he pays those NY taxes ..........
Yes, I rarely say this but he should have taken the annuity payments. Unlike the average Lottery Post reader, he doesn't have any concrete plans for the money. He is going to lose half in taxes and wind up with only $1.25 million.
The cash lump sum for Powerball is 65% of the annuity. His cash lump sum was only 50% of the guaranteed $5 million (20 years) and of course if New York chose to honor the payments for a lifetime, he would have received far more than $5 million.
I'm happy a young person won, but he didn't work the prize to his advantage. He should have talked to a professional first.
I agree this choice seems a little hasty.
But I can not imagine the lottery not taking advantage of getting out as cheap as possible.
Is there a payment schedule for this game's annuity?
If that is his Mom, then Chris Rock must be his Daddy. Lol
Was just thinking the same thing. Maybe his situation warranted ........
Congratulations Patrick Clarke
Same thoughts here. At his age, I'm shocked he didn't want to do the $5000 a week for life. Even if he only got the 20 year minimum, the tax penalty would be alot worse. If they honored the full life payout, then he would be looking at possibly 50+ year of payments or easily in the 10m+ ballpark.
Cool story, and happy for the winner! I have family from Queens, and this is a really nice lotto story. Momma is always right!