CFL offers fan Grey Cup trip, season tickets after barely missing $1M payout

It's not a million dollars, but the CFL is looking to take care of Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan Karen Kuldys with a VIP trip to the Grey Cup.

As part of a promotion from Safeway, Kuldys was in-line for a $1-million payout if two kickoffs were returned for a touchdown in Thursday's game against the Toronto Argonauts. With one score already in the books, a very questionable block in the back penalty negated a second return touchdown, costing her the massive prize in the process.

CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie reached out with a consolation prize for Kuldys shortly afterward.

"We're all fans and whatever team you root for, we would all love to see a CFL fan win a million dollars," the new league boss said in a statement. "We all feel for Karen and what she must have gone through last night, and what she must still be feeling today. I was in Winnipeg for the game and I spoke with her today. On behalf of the CFL, I invited her and her family to come to Grey Cup this year as our guests."

Ambrosie also said Wade Miller, president and CEO of the Blue Bombers, will supply Kuldys with season tickets for the rest of the 2017 schedule and the full 2018 slate.

As for the controversial decision by the official? Ambrosie was very diplomatic in his handling of a very costly call.

"It was a very tough call made by our official last night, one that could have gone either way," Ambrosie said. "There are tough calls made all the time in our game because these are world class athletes, moving at tremendous speeds, and we ask our officials to make difficult judgement calls in the blink of an eye, and we have to respect their decisions."