Southgate man wins $1M sweepstakes prize

A Southgate man was in for a surprise Thursday when the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol arrived to present him with $1 million.

“You’re kidding me,” said Michael Shields when the three representatives showed up at his front door with a large check.

In addition to the money, Shields received a new car, bouquet of roses and balloons.

“Michael said he has been entering our sweepstakes and playing games at Publishers Clearing House every day for years,” officials wrote in a statement Friday.

Publishers Clearing House, founded in 1953, markets magazine subscriptions and merchandise. The company has offered sweepstakes and prizes since 1967.

“No matter how many winners we surprise or how much money we give away, it’s a thrill for us every single time,” said Dave Sayer, who heads the Prize Patrol.

During the recorded presentation, Shield said that he had gotten out of the hospital the previous day.

Shields has been married for 25 years and has two children, three grandchildren, and a nephew they took in after his father died while serving in the military.

According to the company Shields said he plans to save money for his grandchildren and buy his wife a nice piece of jewelry.

“I say have belief,” Shields said. “It is real.”

cwilliams@detroitnews.com

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