Watching a kickoff return is one of the most exciting plays in football. Seeing two in a game is even more incredible. And winning a cool million bucks after the second one happens? That's just the icing on the cake.
So imagine the feeling of thinking you've won $1 million, only to find out that second kickoff return didn't actually count.
Karen Kuldys of Winnipeg was part of the Safeway/Sobeys $1,000,000 Touchdown to Win contest during a Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts game. Winnipeg's Ryan Lankford returned the opening kick for a 105-yard touchdown. Kuldys just needed one other kick return score to become a millionaire.
It looked like that happened in the second quarter after Toronto's Martese Jackson brought back a kick for a score. Then Kuldys saw the penalty flag, 25 yards behind the play.
Here's the $1 million penalty that will haunt Karen forever. #Argos #Bombers #CFL pic.twitter.com/Djwxg0Acht
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) July 14, 2017
No touchdown. No million dollars.
"My heart just sank," Kuldys said in an interview with the CBC. "You got to be kidding me. My stomach is in knots just thinking about it right now."
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie spoke to Kuldys about the prize. He admitted the call could have gone either way but that fans have to respect the official's decision.
Kuldys didn't leave completely empty-handed. Ambrosie invited her and her family to come to the Grey Cup as the commissioner's guests. And Kuldys also took home a $25,000 home theater package for the one kickoff return score. She'll also receive free groceries for one year, courtesy of Safeway/Sobeys.
Not quite a million dollars, but still, better than nothing, right?
