Mark Tootaker’s Surprising Connection to a Kicking Mishap

Last December, an unusual incident during a Giants game involving kicker Koo Yong-Ho turned out to be life-changing for Mark Tootaker. Tootaker now hopes to have Koo as his guest at the Kentucky Derby.

Tootaker, who manages stallion sales at Spendthrift Farm, was nestled in bed with his wife, Mallory, when he rewound a moment from the Giants-Patriots game and found it so funny that he experienced a seizure. “It felt like I got an electric shock,” he shared.

A subsequent hospital visit revealed he had a benign brain tumor about the size of a tennis ball, which was surgically removed. Tootaker mentioned that the incident was a blessing in disguise; it could have been life-threatening at any moment.

“It wasn’t his greatest moment, but it was just crazy,” Tootaker remarked. While he and his wife shared a laugh at Koo’s expense, he felt grateful that everything ultimately turned out well. “There couldn’t have been a better moment for me.”

Tootaker is set to participate in this Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, eager to see Father Add, a horse owned by Spendthrift Farm, compete in the prestigious race.

For Koo and the Giants, this was just another chapter in a string of kicking blunders. A former Pro Bowler with a solid record, Koo had limited success with the Giants, making four out of six field goals during his brief tenure before being released.

Reflecting on the incident, Tootaker described it as a “miracle,” noting he was in the right place at just the right time. His wife even acknowledged to the media that many aren’t as fortunate as they were.

Tootaker also commented on the gravity of the situation, saying, “I could have been anywhere eating. Thankfully, I didn’t hurt anyone while I was on the road.” He emphasized that despite the distressing experience of the seizure, he doesn’t remember it, and he’s grateful he wasn’t driving during that time.