It seems Pat McAfee is a bit lighter in the wallet, although fans might not be fully aware of it.
This season, two college students have successfully kicked 33 yards in the Pat McAfee kick contest featured on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” where the prize can range from $250,000 to $600,000.
Because of the hefty prizes and the frequency of successful kicks by students, some viewers have questioned whether McAfee is actually paying out these awards.
However, co-host Kirk Herbstreit has put those doubts to rest.
“He’s given over $500,000,” Herbstreit mentioned during a recent episode of the “Stugotz and Company” podcast.
“People say, ‘ESPN does that, right?’ I know he makes a lot of money, but he definitely writes checks for these folks.”
Students from Ohio and Oklahoma have benefited from McAfee’s generosity this year.
Herbstreit expressed admiration and surprise at McAfee’s dedication both in and out of the funding events that are now highlights of the show each weekend.
“He’s an uplifting presence,” Herbstreit noted. “Sure, people might see him taking off his shirt and yelling, but there’s so much more to his spirit. He’s invigorating. He celebrates the game, and we’re quite fortunate to have him.”
In addition to hosting “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN, McAfee often doubles the prize amounts with charitable donations. Last week, he collaborated with the Pat Summitt Foundation in Knoxville, contributing a massive $600,000 check.
Still, there has been a noticeable drop in successful kicks from students.
Throughout his career, McAfee has donated considerable amounts to various charities, aiming to give back to the community that has supported him and foster a bond with his fans.
Notably, he played a crucial role last year in preventing budget cuts and layoffs for “College GameDay” by offering to cover the salary of his co-host, which ultimately led to management not taking action on the cuts.
