Friends who agree to split lottery jackpot in 1992 handshake just won big in Wisconsin

Two friends agreed nearly 30 years ago that if either won the Powerball jackpot, they’d split the winnings straight down the middle, Wisconsin officials say.

Now they’re both big-time winners.

Thomas Cook and Joseph Feeney solidified the agreement with a handshake in 1992. About 28 years later, Cook made good on his promise to share after buying the winning ticket at a Synergy Coop in his Wisconsin hometown. The June prize was $22 million.

Cook realized he won while eating breakfast.

“It was quite an experience when I read those first two or three numbers,” Cook said in a Wisconsin Lottery video. “I kind of froze and handed them to (my wife) and she froze.”

Then Cook called his good friend Feeney to share the news.

“Are you jerkin’ my bobber,” Feeney recalls saying to Cook.

Neither winner has extravagant plans for the money, just spending more time with family.

“We can pursue what we feel comfortable with,” Cook said. “I can’t think of a better way to retire.”

The two men and their wives have taken road trips in a PT Cruiser convertible. They may upgrade the vehicle for future trips.

“A handshake’s a handshake,” Cook said.

This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 9:29 AM with the headline "Friends who agree to split lottery jackpot in 1992 handshake just won big in Wisconsin."