The story of these two brothers is a classic example of how a person’s fate often has nothing to do with the name they are given at birth.

One was named Winner, and the other was named Loser. However, the lives of these two brothers from the Lane family turned out to be complete opposites. The man named “Loser” became a successful police officer, while the man named “Winner” fell into a life of crime, with a record of at least 31 arrests. Their case serves as a striking reminder that a name does not dictate a destiny.

The Success of “Loser”

“Actually, I took a distinct path right from the beginning,” said Loser, a police officer working in the South Bronx, New York City.

Since his school days, Loser was a promising student and a gifted athlete. He earned a scholarship to the prestigious Pomfret preparatory school in Connecticut before attending Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. After graduating, Loser joined the police force—fulfilling his mother’s dream.

The Downfall of “Winner”

On the other hand, the man named Winner lived a life entirely contrary to his younger brother and his own name. In June 2002, Winner was released on parole after serving two years in prison in Southport, Elmira, New York, for breaking into a vehicle. He spent time living in shelters like Camp LaGuardia or occasionally living on the streets of New York City.

Why did a man named “Winner” slide so far into a life of crime? Winner himself claimed he simply fell into unfortunate circumstances, though he declined to discuss his specific legal troubles in detail.

The Origin of the Names

Winner was unsure exactly where his name came from, but since his father, Robert Lane, was a huge football fan and a former player, he believed the name was tied to his father’s passion for the game. Other reports suggest Robert named his son “Winner” with the hope that the boy would achieve great success in life.

The naming of Loser, born three years later, was much simpler. On the day he was born, the father asked his daughter, Dinelda, what they should name the new baby. Dinelda replied: “Well, we already have a Winner, so why don’t we have a Loser?” From that moment on, “Loser” became the younger brother’s name.

Two Paths Diverged

As adults, Winner and Loser rarely saw each other. Winner would typically only call Loser when he needed money, and the two were never close. Ironically, around the time Loser was receiving a scholarship to a top prep school, Winner was beginning his criminal career.

Winner was first arrested at the age of 19 in September 1977 for reckless endangerment. Five years later, he was imprisoned for larceny on Long Island, followed by a string of charges including domestic violence, auto theft, trespassing, and resisting arrest. In April 1999, he was caught breaking into a car just weeks after being released for a separate theft.

Meanwhile, the man with the “failed” name joined the New York Police Department (NYPD) in January 1984 after graduating from college, serving a long and honorable career.