Plano resident Damon Sayles came exceptionally close to winning the coveted $1 million jackpot on Wheel of Fortune during the Nov. 20, 2024, episode of the game show.
Sayles made history during his appearance, landing on the $1 million wedge and maintaining it throughout the entire match, but in the end, didn’t land on the big-ticket check. In the history of the show, only four have won the $1 million payout.
As the biggest winner of the night, he also correctly solved all three puzzles in the Triple Toss-Up round, proving his skill and sharp puzzle-solving ability.
Honoring A Loved One
But for Sayles, the opportunity to play on Wheel of Fortune was more than just a game show appearance — it allowed him to honor his late aunt, Beverly.
“In addition to playing a game I've watched all my life, it was an opportunity to honor my aunt, Beverly,” Sayles said in an official statement. “As a child, I watched two shows with her: Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and Wheel of Fortune. She even called me ‘Mr. Rogers.’ When we watched ‘Wheel,’ we'd have fun solving the puzzles together. She made me better, and in a weird way, a 7-year-old kid made her better.”
Sayles aunt passed in January of this year. The Monday after the funeral, Sayles found himself solving puzzle after puzzle while sitting on his couch watching Wheel of Fortune. He turned to his wife and said, “God, I miss Bev.” The pain he felt then still lingers today. In response, his wife asked him to create a video expressing his love and appreciation for his late aunt. Unbeknownst to Damon at the time, that video was submitted as an application to Wheel of Fortune.
“Never in a million years did I think I'd get picked for an audition, let alone the show itself,” Sayles said in a Facebook post.
Outside Wheel of Fortune
Sayles is the senior editor for culture at The Athletic, a leading sports journalism website part of The New York Times.
Sayles is also a graduate of Texas State University in journalism and mass communications. He is a graduate of the APSE Diversity Fellowship and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Leadership Academy. He was also inducted into the inaugural class of Who’s Who in Black Dallas. Sayles is a life member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
“It's always cool to help put Texas State — what my old heads still call SWT — on the map,” Sayles said. “We have some amazing people who graduate from our university, so any time I can do something of importance, I want to make sure the school gets love, as well.”
North Texas’ TV Talent
North Texas is full of incredible talent — some of which have been featured on television. As Local Profile previously reported, Sky Elements, a North Texas drone company, rocketed into the spotlight on America's Got Talent (AGT) this year, earning a golden buzzer for their stunning performance by judge Simon Cowell.
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