Pat McAfee Wrote $100 Million on Prize Check
A contestant kicked a 33-yard field goal to win $1 million on the College GameDay stage.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Do you trust that major televised competitions are always transparent about the prizes being awarded?
Pat McAfee mistakenly wrote a $100 million prize amount on a cardboard check following a successful field goal kick by James Whitehead. Whitehead earned a $1 million reward after successfully completing a 33-yard kick barefoot.
Why it matters
The high-profile promotion has become a staple of the broadcast, awarding significant sums to fans who participate in the kicking contest. The contest has awarded $2 million in prizes during the 2026 season alone.
James Whitehead secured a $1 million prize by landing a 33-yard field goal barefoot during the College GameDay broadcast. In total, the contest has distributed $8.2 million in prize money since its inception.
The players
Pat McAfee
He is a prominent sports analyst and television personality who appears regularly on College GameDay.
James Whitehead
He is the contest participant who successfully kicked a 33-yard field goal barefoot to win a $1 million prize.
The details
After Whitehead successfully made his kick in Baton Rouge, McAfee presented him with a novelty check. McAfee inscribed an amount that appeared to be $100 million on the prop, vastly exceeding the actual $1 million prize awarded to the winner.
Timeline
2026 season: The kicking contest awarded $2 million in total prizes.
September 19, 2026: The article detailing the check-writing incident was published.
Season Trajectory
This incident highlights the growing commercialization of fan-participation segments, as evidenced by the increase in Home Depot sponsorship of the College GameDay kicking contest. The error follows a pattern of heightened production intensity associated with the increased brand investment in the contest during the 2026 season.
James Whitehead officially secured a $1 million prize for his successful kick, while the $100 million figure remains a clerical error rather than a payout amount. The contest continues to be a featured segment for viewers across the nation.
The takeaway
While the prop check caused confusion, the contest serves as a high-stakes opportunity for fans attending the broadcasts. Participants should be prepared to perform under pressure in front of a national audience during these segments.
Further reading
For more updates on college football broadcasts, visit Football.
Live Poll
Do you trust that major televised competitions are always transparent about the prizes being awarded?
