Brian Eskine is the quintessence of a loyal Saints fan, committed to the Black and Gold throughout many football seasons since the team’s inaugural game in 1967, so he was overjoyed when his nonwinning Louisiana Lottery SAINTS FEVER! scratch-off was selected to win a 2015 Saints Fan Experience Prize Package during one of the game’s second-chance drawings.

“I’ve been a Saints fan ever since the opening kickoff…when John Gilliam ran back for a touchdown,” Eskine said. “The rest is history.”

During those years, Eskine attended a number of games but none quite like what he experienced with his daughter Lauren Southerland, son-in-law Justin Southerland, and friend Timmy Francise on Nov. 1 as New Orleans overtook New York with a last-minute field goal.

In addition to the four Plaza Club Sideline tickets to that game, the Baton Rouge resident received pregame field passes, hotel accommodations, four authentic Saints jerseys and $500 spending cash.

Eskine and his guests were also treated to limousine transportation to and from the game as well as a meet-and-greet session with Saints Hall of Fame running back, Deuce McAllister.

“One [nonwinning ticket entry] made it,” Eskine said. “You can’t win unless you play, and I guess I’m living proof.”

Out of 13,500 entries into the Lottery’s Oct. 13 drawing, the second of the season, nine finalists also won official autographed Saints merchandise. Kristen Camp of Slidell, Crystal Sanford of Calhoun and Charlar Brew of St. Martinville won an autographed Saints jersey. Kevin M. Squyres of Long Beach, Miss.; Kim Blocker of West Monroe; and Don Baker of Greenville, Miss., won an autographed Saints helmet. Linh Berryhill of Beaumont, Texas; Carol Robert of Marrero; and Jeffrey Wilson of Ama won an autographed Saints football.

The 2015 SAINTS FEVER! scratch-off game features three scenes bearing the Saints fleur-de-lis logo, game-day action and team memorabilia all emblazoned in shiny gold metallic ink with top prizes of $100,000. Plus, players have the opportunity to enter nonwinning tickets into a series of second-chance drawings to win unique game-day prize experiences or official autographed Saints merchandise.

 “We upped our game with this year’s experience prizes that include exclusive access to areas of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and game activities usually off-limits to fans,” explained Lottery President Rose Hudson. “When players don’t win an instant prize on SAINTS FEVER!, they can use it to enter their favorite second-chance drawing to win a one-of-a-kind experience guaranteed to cure Saints fever!”

From now until Nov. 16, players can enter their nonwinning tickets into the games’ third second-chance drawing to be eligible to win the 2015 Behind the Scenes Experience prize package including a tour of the press box for the winner and three guests, as well as access to the post-game press conference at the Dec. 6 game against Carolina. In addition, the winner will receive four Plaza Club Sideline tickets to the game, pregame field passes, a parking pass, one night hotel accommodations (two rooms) and $500 spending cash.

To enter the second-chance drawings, players should complete the information on the back of non-winning $5 SAINTS FEVER! scratch-off tickets and mail one ticket per envelope (no larger than 4.5" by 9.5") to the drawing address printed on the back of the ticket. Players can enter as many times as they wish, but each entry should be mailed in a separate envelope. 

Complete game and second-chance drawing entry rules, prizes and a second-chance drawing schedule can be found on the Lottery's website, louisianalottery.com/saints-fever. Lottery ticket purchasers and second-chance drawing entrants must be at least 21 years of age. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available by calling 1-877-770-7867. For security purposes, the Lottery encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.