Smith to attempt a field goal on College GameDay, with $1 million pledged to charity if Smith accepts (Getty Images) Pat McAfee publicly challenged Stephen A.
How much money has Pat McAfee’s field goal contest raised for charity?
On Monday, McAfee posted on X, inviting Smith to show up at a College GameDay this season for a $1 million charity kick. Let’s see you at a @CollegeGameDay this year… $1,000,000 to charity?!?!? Through the 2024 College GameDay season alone, McAfee’s kicking challenge raised $1.15 million for charity, with a significant portion directed toward Hurricane Helene relief. Over the course of one full year, the total given away, including cash prizes to contestants, crossed $1.7 million. Each week, a randomly selected fan gets one shot at a 33-yard field goal. The $1 million invitation to Smith would be the biggest-profile version of the challenge yet. One comment read: “$1M to charity?
Because they’ll actually ask me to go out there and try to kick, and I’ll really embarrass myself, but don’t give Pat McAfee and them any ideas,.
It’s hilarious,” he said. “I can’t kick my leg that damn high,” Smith said in a separate interview, though he acknowledged he would at least want to train before attempting it. Stephen A. Smith called Pat McAfee’s College GameDay field goal contest one of the funniest things on television. He then made the mistake of saying out loud that he hoped nobody passed that observation on to McAfee. Someone did. Smith has not responded yet, but the internet certainly has. Smith was on ESPN when he praised the segment without any filter. “There is very little in television that’s funnier than that d*** Pat McAfee field goal contest. When a host suggested Smith try it himself, he immediately pumped the brakes. “Nah, I might catch a cramp, I might catch a cramp or something. ” That was the opening McAfee needed. He posted on X with a simple but pointed message: “I appreciate you @stephenasmith. The framing matters here. McAfee did not mock Smith. He thanked him first, then extended the invitation. That combination of charm and pressure is exactly why the kicking contest has worked so well. It never feels mean-spirited, even when it gets uncomfortable. Smith’s athletic past adds an interesting wrinkle. He played basketball at Winston-Salem State before an injury derailed his playing career. He is not a complete stranger to sports competition. But kicking a field goal is an entirely different ask, and he admitted as much. The contest has quietly become one of the most impactful charity segments in sports television. The money on the line varies, and McAfee has a habit of sweetening the pot mid-attempt or offering second chances after a miss. Kirk Herbstreit has occasionally added to the prize pool. The segment has featured slip-on Vans, blocking dummies, and last-second iced kicks. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines It is chaotic, unpredictable, and completely genuine, which is why it keeps drawing eyeballs. Fans online were quick to back the idea. Now THAT would be must-see TV. Respect for putting it on the line. Another simply wrote: “I hope @stephenasmith comes on and kicks and donates. Whether Smith takes the dare remains to be seen. But McAfee has made it very public and very hard to ignore. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.