OK- no one has ever really heard this story...so it's exclusivley here.

Back in 1993, I was returning home from Japan after winning a contest. I had $300,000 YEN, in my pocket which translated to about $1500 US Dollars. I had my new Sony Walkman and a few other new toys.

Upon returning home to Portland, I was greeted by a very upset girlfriend (at the time). I was then informed that her Grandmother had passed away, which made it hard for me and her to celebrate.

Well, after a huge 14 hour flight home, I was severly jetlagged to say the least, and on the way home, we stopped at McDonalds for grub. I continued to drive home another hour. When I jumped out of the car, I threw the trash in the dumpster and went to bed.

The next day, we woke up and got dressed as fast as we could because "girlfriend" was late for work. So we rushed her up to Timberline Lodge and I offered to get her breakfast. This is where I lose my mind for the rest of the day. Where's my wallet, it's not here or there.

OK, you can't find your wallet and there's at least $1200 bucks of prize money, LOST! So I panic......I rush back down to the condo to see if it's in my luggage (since I just got home) and search for an hour, NOTHING. I really start to panic.

So I retrace my footsteps. At that time I see the garbage man load up the dumpster and pack it onto his truck. LIGHT GOES ON! I threw my wallet into the trash with the McDonalds!!!

So I run out to stop the truck. There's nothing he can do.....but he's understanding of my stress. He tells me to drive to Oregon City (an hour and half away) and meet him there. Which I do, after calling 2 friends to join me, we drive to the Oregon City Refuse Center and wait.

So the driver takes me to his truck and he points where he thinks my wallet is....he says "look about here when I drop this out" so he dumps the whole truck on the floor.I was told several people have lost wedding rings and top secret documents here. Stress levels are way too high now.

I watch that spot with intense. As it comes out the garbage splits, like Moses was there seperating water, and right there on top of the trash was my blue wallet!

I jumped into the center, with more nasty garbage creeping out, and grab my wallet.....the people watching me could not believe I recoverd my $1200 in prize money and started cheering along side of me. I pranced around the front of the truck and threw a $100 bucks at the Driver, he then jumped out and hugged me.

It was the single most memorable moment of my pro career and I still see that Garbage Driver every so often and we both just start laughing.

You heard it here first.