ESPN’s Pat McAfee announced live on air an incredible $1 million charity donation.
The former NFL punter turned sports media star, who is reportedly on a $60 million per year deal at ESPN, announced a $1 million donation to the Iowa Children’s Hospital on Monday, October 5.
McAfee had announced some conditional donations to the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital through his “College GameDay” kicking contest. He received some backlash for the conditions surrounding the donation, though. Fans thought he should just donate the money regardless of the kicking contest.
On Monday, he decided to just make the donation, no matter what had happened in the kicking contest. McAfee agreed that he felt bad about things.
“I offer up money for the hospital and for her if she ends up winning. And at first I said $1 million donation, and she doesn’t make it, and then she misses it, and then Dallas Clark does it for $150,000,” McAfee said. “And a lot of people are coming after me for not doing the donation, and I think those people are pretty right.
“It didn’t feel right after I was kind of thinking about it. We’ll donate $1 million to that children’s hospital. I would like to be a part of help for them.”
McAfee added that he’s very thankful for the work the hospital they do.
“We would like to thank that hospital for their hospitality and for what they do. And they need to know how much they empower and help everybody else that comes in contact with them.
“… It was special,” McAfee said. “Those kids are awesome. I can’t wait to see them again. And I’ll see them soon.”
ESPN’s “College GameDay” aired live from the University of Iowa on Saturday morning, ahead of the Hawkeyes’ loss to Ohio State.
