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Student Misses $1 Million Field Goal, but Iowa Hospital Still Receives the Money
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- Student Misses $1 Million Field Goal, but Iowa Hospital Still Receives the Money
A missed field goal at Kinnick Stadium sparked a debate about a children's hospital donation, and Pat McAfee decided to make the contribution much larger.
The former NFL punter and ESPN host was in Iowa City for College GameDay when student Finley won a chance to kick a 33-yard field goal for a $1 million prize. Half of the potential winnings was intended for University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital.
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Finley missed both attempts while wearing Ugg slippers. Former Iowa tight end and NFL player Dallas Clark then threw a football through the uprights, triggering a fallback donation of $150,000.
That amount drew criticism online. Viewers questioned why the hospital would receive less than the amount originally tied to the contest.
McAfee addressed the reaction on The Pat McAfee Show. He acknowledged the criticism had a point, saying the lower donation "didn't feel right." He then announced he would raise his contribution to $1 million.
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The change restored the commitment associated with the contest. The Daily Iowan reported on McAfee's pledge , while Awful Announcing covered the backlash and his response .
Pat McAfeeKirby Lee-Imagn Images
The hospital is known to Hawkeyes fans for its place beside Kinnick Stadium. During the first quarter of home games, fans turn toward its windows and wave to patients and families watching inside, a tradition known as the Kinnick Wave.
McAfee's donation added attention to that connection between Iowa football and the children's hospital. The contest had offered a chance to win a prize, but the missed kick shifted focus to the amount the hospital would receive.
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By raising his pledge after the criticism, McAfee turned a disappointing moment into a charitable commitment. The $1 million contribution became the outcome of a contest that began with one student, two missed kicks and a stadium full of spectators.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
