LeBron James posing with the Horton Family after dropping off their $1.3 million prize money (Photo : Screenshot from the Official LeBron James Facebook page's video)
NBA superstar LeBron James played Santa Claus to an Akron family last Dec. 23. He personally delivered $1.3 million (and an extra $10) they won on his game show 'The Wall'.
In a video posted on his official Facebook page, James, who was inside a Brink's truck bearing the money, can be seen talking about surprising John and Angel Horton by personally dropping off their prize in their very own home. The video was also posted on James' personal Instagram account.
James, an executive producer of the game show, was accompanied by fellow executive producer and friend Maverick Carter in the surprise visit. As expected, the basketball star's arrival at the Hortons' residence elicited happy shrieks, handshakes and bear hugs all around from the family.
As if to up the happiness level even higher, James then showed the family the two duffel bags containing the $1.3 million. It elicited even more shrieks from Mrs. Horton who playfully said they couldn't keep that much money inside their house.
"We are not holding this in the house. It is going into the bank," she said.
To this, James pointed to the armored truck outside and assured them the money will be kept in a safe place for the family. A teary-eyed Mrs. Horton later thanked James for showing up, saying they would use the money for their kids' future.
For his response, James said they created the game show to give normal people a chance to improve their lives.
"This is the reason why we created the show for normal people to be able to have an opportunity to change their lives, and not only for the grown-ups, but this is for the kids," he said.
James also joked that was he was raring to give the $12 million prize away to the family lucky enough to win it. He also the Hortons at the end of the video by posing for pictures and giving them an autographed portrait of himself.
'The Wall', which debuted on NBC last Dec. 19, has two contestants answering trivia questions in order to release a 'green ball' that rolls down to the bottom of a grid-like wall which contains slots with corresponding values. Grand prize winners can take away as much as $12 million.
