Pat McAfee kicking contest at Cal Photo Credit: ESPN
College FootballESPNBy Arthur Weinstein on

Pat McAfee has seen all types of college students participate in his College GameDay kicking contest, but he saw something he didn’t expect Saturday morning at Cal, Berkeley.

With ESPN’s College GameDay on campus ahead of the Golden Bears’ game later in the day against No. 8 Miami, McAfee welcomed Daniel, an engineering student, to the contest.

One look at Daniel’s shoes, a pair of Vans slip-ons, and McAfee probably did not have high expectations for the novice kicker.

“Can we get a shot of the shoes?” CGD co-host/kickholder Kirk Herbstreit asked as the camera panned into the Vans.

So McAfee and Herbstreit were visibly impressed when Daniel booted the ball with authority. Unfortunately, he missed wide right.

“Whoaaa!” McAfee exclaimed several times.

“Wait a second!” Herbstreit said.

“Just like everything this morning, that was a surprise!” McAfee told Daniel. “We did not expect that.”


Because McAfee likes to give students second chances in the contest, Daniel lined up for a second attempt.

This time, he nailed the 33-yard field goal.

“Damn, Daniel! Damn, Daniel!” McAfee said, congratulating him.

Daniel earned $100,000. College GameDay, which had already announced a donation of $500,000 for Hurricane Helene relief, also added another $100K to that total.

He also caught the attention of Cal head coach Justin Wilcox, who appeared on the College GameDay set:

“My man Daniel with the checkered Vans,” Wilcox said. “Borrowed those Jeff Spicoli at Ridgemont High. Split it 33 yards. That’s my man. Daniel.”


[ESPN College GameDay]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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