A University of Texas freshman has become a multi-millionaire after successfully completing a field goal challenge on ESPN's College GameDay.
Connor Kaceu-Merrell, a freshman from Zionsville, Indiana, participated in the "Kicking is Easy" challenge during Saturday's broadcast from Austin. Former NFL punter Pat McAfee selected Kaceu-Merrell for the contest, which required him to make a 33-yard field goal to win prize money.
Initially, the prize was set at $1 million. Before his first attempt, Kaceu-Merrell announced his intention to donate half of any winnings to a charity in his home state. He then stepped up to the kick but narrowly missed wide right.
Given a second opportunity with an increased prize pool of $1.2 million—$600,000 for himself and $600,000 for charity—Kaceu-Merrell, who kicked barefoot, successfully split the uprights. The crowd erupted as he celebrated the win. He received congratulations from McAfee and actor Matthew McConaughey, a prominent University of Texas alum.
MCAfee confirmed that Kaceu-Merrell's charitable donation would go to Building Tomorrow, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for children in East Africa. The freshman's selfless act and impressive kick drew praise from fans, with some jokingly commenting on his kicking accuracy and leg strength.
