Pat McAfee Puts Big Bucks on the Line During College GameDay

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – Pat McAfee has been paying out big prizes this season in the Pat McAfee Kicking Contest during ESPN’s ‘College GameDay.’ Students have the chance to win between $250,000 and $600,000 for making field goals.

Despite some skepticism from viewers over the substantial payouts, co-host Kirk Herbstreit confirmed that McAfee has indeed given away over $500,000. ‘People are like, ‘ESPN does that, right?’ I’m like, I know he makes a lot of money, but he’s writing checks to these guys. It’s cool,’ Herbstreit said.

This year, students from Ohio State and Oklahoma have walked away with cash in hand. Herbstreit praised McAfee for his enthusiasm and generosity, saying, ‘He’s an uplifting presence. He celebrates sports. He’s been a great addition; we’re lucky to have him.’

In addition to the Kicking Contest, McAfee also hosts ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on ESPN. Typically, he raises the prize pool by donating to charity. Last week in Knoxville, he partnered with The Pat Summitt Foundation and put up a hefty $600,000 check, although the student’s attempt ultimately fell short.

Throughout his career, McAfee has made significant charitable donations, aiming to build a community with his fan base. Last year, he even helped prevent budget cuts and layoffs on ‘College GameDay’ by offering to pay his co-hosts himself, which led to management avoiding any layoffs.