Another exciting Saturday brings back the weekly dose of college football, and with it comes the ESPN College GameDay with its signature kicking contest. The contest, started by Pat McAfee, has already given out a whopping $2,850,000 this year, with $1,250,000 going to charities and $1,400,000 going to contestants as prizes. This week marked only the third time in the contest’s history that a female contestant got the chance to kick, and Gabby was up for the $500,000 prize. But with no prior kicking experience, her attempt barely traveled 10 yards. Dejected, Gabby could hardly believe she had just missed out on half a million dollars as the crowd erupted in boos. But that’s where Kirk Herbstreit, former OSU QB, came with his passing skills to Gabby’s rescue.

“Okay, have you ever kicked anything before? No, okay, but you said you want to do it,” asked Pat MacAfee. “I camped out for so many hours with my friend, and I got lucky enough to get picked. So let’s go for it,” replied Gabby. McAfee even reminded her of a girl back in Alabama three years back who picked his guy friend to do the kick and won $100,00 herself. “Two years ago, here at Alabama, a girl won the raffle. She elected a kick. She found Henry to do the kick. They won a couple of 100 thousand dollars. You can be the first (female) to make the kick we’re pulling for you,” announced McAfee. However, Gabby decided to give it a try and missed the target by a huge margin.

Despite losing the contest and missing the kick, Pat McAfee gave Gabby a second chance to win $300,000 this time. Only this time, she wouldn’t need to kick or throw the ball, and CFB announcer Kirk Herbstreit’s successful throw to the field goal would do the deed. Herbstreit effortlessly threw the ball, and the next thing we saw was Gabby crying her heart out in happiness as he hugged McAfee and later Herbstreit. Gabby, a chemical engineering senior at the University of Alabama, looked visibly emotional, jumping in joy. It was a powerful moment from Herbstreit and McAfee, and it showcased just why GameDay is so popular throughout the country.

Launched in 1987 as a modest studio program, and gradually evolved into a travel spectacle by 1993, as it gained widespread popularity. Now in its 39th season, GameDay has adopted events like the ‘Pat McAfee’s Kicking contest’ to give further entertainment and incentives to the fans watching the game. McAfee’s brash and unfiltered persona creates a lively atmosphere at the event, as the event guarantees unparalleled entertainment. So, ESPN capitalizing on that persona and McAfee’s popularity is understandable. Moreover, Herbstreit, earlier tied to Lee Corso, has found a new press box partner in McAfee.

“He’s given 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. Sometimes I don’t even know he’s doing this. He’s like, ‘Kirk’s going to throw in $200,000 over here, too.’ I’m like, that is not discussed beforehand,” said Herbstreit about the contests in a recent interview. The duo’s chemistry is clearly visible on TV, as Herbstreit becomes the calmer one, giving insights into things. While McAfee just remains himself throughout. Now, adding other guests like Nick Saban and Rece Davis just makes it irresistible to watch GameDay. However, initially, not everyone believed in Pat McAfee.

Kirk Herbstreit points out the unfair criticism leveled at Pat McAfee

Pat McAfee, a former West Virginia University kicker, had a commentary stint at the WWE and knew what the job demanded. However, he wasn’t your regular broadcaster. He removed shirts when excited, took jabs at fans, and directly criticised players and coaches without any hesitation. That was something unheard of in college football. Of course, Lee Corso was doing some of that earlier, but his coaching stints still made him a respectable figure. For McAfee, though, transitioning to college football came with heavy skepticism.

“I think people just saw a guy and went from traditional linear television to an internet sensation coming onto the show and doing things unconventionally, doing things the way he does. I think he overhypes the fraction of the audience that was like, ‘What’s this guy’s deal?’ Yes. I think he blows that out of proportion,” said Kirk Herbstreit.  However, now, a part of ESPN’s college football events since July 2019, McAfee has emerged as the most entertaining figure in the press box.

McAfee also had a stint at the Indianapolis Colts from 2009 to 2016, earning 2 times Pro Bowl honors. That legacy helped in his favor, and the raw flavor that he brought did its magic. Right now, McAfee’s kicking contest draws a wide viewership, and the announcer has given up almost $1.7 million annually in prizes. ESPN’s Matthew Garrett rightly put the role the announcer plays. “We are the beneficiaries of his generosity.” The legacy will then live on for decades as Pat McAfee has enough in his tank to entertain us in the foreseeable future.