Day After: Life's a Romp For the $1 Million Man

The day after he made "the shot heard 'round the world," DonCalhoun went back to work.

"I have to take inventory," said Calhoun, 23, an office supplysalesman in Downstate Bloomington.

But inventory would have to wait. When Calhoun arrived, he wascrunched by media and handed more than 100 telephone messages frompeople wanting to know everything about the "million dollar man."

Calhoun had become an instant celebrity Wednesday night when heearned $1 million for making a 79-foot shot during a timeout at aBulls game at Chicago Stadium.

The secretary at the Bloomington store answered the telephonelike this: "Reliable Office Superstore, home of Don Calhoun, ourmillion dollar man."

The calls came "from everywhere," Connie Williams said."Canada, San Francisco, investment firms, law firms. People wantingto sell him cars. People wanting to issue him credit cards."

Some even wanted to know about his $54.99 pair of Size 13 WorldCup shoes from Kinneys.

"Traditionally with me, World Cup is a pretty cheap shoe,"Calhoun said. "But these are good shoes. I think I'll keep themforever for good luck."

The $1 million shot has been attempted 19 times at the Stadiumthis season. Another fan will get a chance at a Bulls game nextweek.

Calhoun, chosen at random to take the shot (because Bullsrepresentatives liked his shoes), was still recovering from asleepless night.

"I'm just trying to let it kick in," Calhoun said Thursday. "Ihaven't been to sleep since it happened. Not that I didn't havetime. I had plenty of time, but my heart was beating too fast."

At 5 a.m., after staring at the ceiling of his Sheraton hotelroom "and counting sheep" for five restless hours, Calhoun's heartwas still racing. It was time for a remote interview at Channel 5with NBC's Bryant Gumbel.

"The Good Morning . . . what is it, the `Today Show'? The onewith Bryant Gumbel, the guy everyone watches in the morning," Calhounsaid. "It was awesome. And it seemed strange. It's something I'llalways cherish."

Wednesday night Calhoun was attending his first Bulls game infive years. He got the ticket from an accountant friend "whocouldn't go because it's tax time."

"During the first quarter, I was thinking about the shot andthen I said to myself, `Don't worry. I came in here without amillion and if I leave without seizing the opportunity, there's noloss. In the second quarter, I decided to gather all my confidence,go out there, be spontaneous and put the ball in the hole."

The $1 million contest was sponsored by Lettuce Entertain You andCoca-Cola.

Lettuce Entertain You spokeswoman Janet Kerrigan said acelebration party for Calhoun and his family will be planned.

"When we find him," she said.

Calhoun wasn't hiding. He tried doing as many interview requestsas he could "because I feel blessed and I want to share this withothers."