Steven Hardeman and his 18-year-old son Seth from Triangle, Virginia, claimed a major prize on the season premiere of NBC's game show "The Wall," winning more than $1.6 million on Jan. 5, 2026.
The father-and-son pair faced off against the massive 40-foot pegboard that defines the show, where contestants answer trivia questions and drop balls down the wall to earn or lose money. The Hardemans' winnings mark the third-largest prize in the show's history, trailing only a $1.74 million jackpot from season three.
Steven Hardeman is a retired police officer who spent 15 years in service and earned recognition for his bravery during the September 11 attacks. On that tragic day, Hardeman entered the Pentagon to help rescue others, and his heroic actions led to his recognition with the Declaration of Valor from the Governor of Virginia. After his police career, Hardeman worked as a beloved school resource officer in his community.
A Hero's Story
The emotional highlight of the father and son's appearance came at the game's finale, when the contestants must decide between accepting a guaranteed contract offer or risking their winnings by "tearing up the contract," according to Inside Nova.
The decision fell to Seth, who sat in isolation while the remaining balls dropped down the wall. With a guaranteed payout of $170,000 waiting, the young contestant made the bold choice to reject the guaranteed money, putting his family's winnings on the line.
That risky decision paid off spectacularly. Host Chris Hardwick, who guides players through the show's intense moments, found the scene particularly moving.
In an interview following the episode, Hardwick reflected on the episode, noting the emotional weight of watching an 18-year-old take such a significant financial risk to help his family. He emphasized that the show's greatest strength lies in telling stories of people who represent the best of humanity, TV Insider reported.
The Wall's Legacy
"The Wall" is produced by LeBron James and premiered on NBC in December 2016. The show highlights pairs of loved ones working together for the chance to win millions of dollars through trivia knowledge and strategy. Players can build their bank account by answering questions correctly, but wrong answers can drain their winnings.
The Hardeman family's victory exemplifies the life-changing prizes the show can deliver. Their story joins other memorable moments from the game show that reward not just knowledge and luck, but the courage and character of its participants, as per Stay Tuned Mag.
