Grant defeated three-day champ Will Stewart and Kathy Olson with a big $25,601 win on Wednesday’s episode.
Grant DeYoung got into a car crash when Jeopardy! texted himCredit: Jeopardy!
Ken was stunned as he assured, ‘The car needs some work but I’m certainly fine’Credit: Jeopardy!
The grocery clerk from Prescott, Arizona, told host Ken Jennings, 49, about the incident during the Q&A segment.
“I got off work and got in the car and pulled my phone out and it was sinking in.
“I’m on the verge of tears there staring down at it, and I got hit and ran.”
Ken was taken aback, “’A car hit you while you were getting the text?”
Grant said he was so excited by the moment he didn’t even notice.
“Yes,” Grant replied, adding, “And I didn’t even notice because I was so, you know, engrossed in getting the text.”
“I had people coming up to me after [saying], ‘Are you aware you just got your car hit?’ and I was like ‘No’ holding my phone and staring at the message.”
Ken then asked whether the Jeopardy! contestant was doing okay.
“The car needs some work but I’m certainly fine, thank you,” he replied.
Going into a razor-thin Final Jeopardy round, Grant led with $13,200, Will was close behind with $12,800, and Kathy lagged with $6,600.
Under “19th Century Literary Characters” the clue read, “John Elwes, a millionaire member of parliament who would go to bed before dusk to save on candles, inspired this character.”
All contestants correctly responded with “Scrooge,” and Grant sealed the win, betting $12,401 to finish with $25,601 – looking overjoyed.
FANS REACT TO GRANT’S WIN
Fans rushed to social media thrilled for the winner given his whirlwind story.
“Grant can buy himself a new car!” one X user rejoiced.
“Grant has already won Best in Show for that superb hair,” quipped another.
A third wrote, “Well, even after taxes, even third place #Jeopardy money will help cover any expenses Grant has on that car.”
However, he now has much more than the consolation prize and will face two new challengers on Thursday to try for another victory.
SITTING CHAMPION
During the episode, fans also noticed that Grant was sitting in a chair while competing as opposed to standing.
“Is grant in a chair?” another X user asked during the episode.
“So Grant is sitting #jeopardy I thought so, just BEFORE he bounced in the seat,” wrote another.
While the contestant doesn’t owe anyone an explanation, Jeopardy! bosses spoke about letting contestants sit in 2023.
Fans may recall 2024 Tournament of Champions finalist Troy Meyer sitting during his games.
“Please know that any contestant is given the opportunity to have a chair at any point.”
“We would never make people stand, and you’ll see in the coming weeks that we had a contestant who did choose to sit,” the higher-ups explained.
Referring to Troy, the said, “After their performance, they felt like that may be a better opportunity for them.
“We are not saying no you have to stand and play, we want you to play at your very best.
Sitting down is absolutely an option.”
Jeopardy! airs at 7 p.m. E.T. on ABC – check your local listings.
He won after all three players aced Final Jeopardy as ‘Scrooge’ – fans reacted, ‘Grant can buy himself a new car!’Credit: Jeopardy!
Fans also noticed he was sitting in a chair while competingCredit: ABC
Jeopardy! bosses recently assured, ‘Please know that any contestant is given the opportunity to have a chair at any point’Credit: Jeopardy!
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