February 8, 2012
Best bet: Super Bowl winner donating long-shot’s payoff to charity
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is called for a safety in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5. Photo by REUTERS/Pierre Ducharme
The Jewish owner of a real estate company in New York is donating his $50,000 winnings from a Super Bowl bet to charity.
Jona Rechnitz, 29, of New York, had wagered $1,000 on Super Sunday at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas that the New York Giants would score first—on a safety.
With the odds at 50 to 1, Rechnitz earned a $50,000 payout.
Rechnitz, who is Orthodox, told TMZ that he would donate $5,000 to a charity chosen by New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady, who was penalized for intentional grounding in the end zone, causing the safety call. Rechnitz also will give $5,000 each to the charities of choice for four Giants’ defensive linemen involved in the play. He also said he wants to take Brady out for a falafel dinner.
Rechnitz, owner of the year-old JSR Capital after having worked for Africa Israel, said he will donate the rest of his after-tax earnings to other charities.
The California native was visiting his parents and decided to watch the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. The Giants defeated the Patriots, 21-17.
