On Friday night’s home opener for the Utah Jazz, six-time PGA Tour winner Tony Finau was a surprise contestant to attempt a lengthy putt during a time-out. The stakes? One million dollars, courtesy of ESPN personality Pat McAfee. Spoiler alert: Finau delivered, securing the million for his namesake foundation, which aims to empower and inspire young people and their families through education, wellness, and recreation.
So how exactly did this come about?
It started at last week’s College GameDay, when BYU student Carter Smith was selected to participate in McAfee’s “Kicking is Easy” contest, a weekly GameDay staple which features a student attempting a 33-yard field-goal kick for a $1 million prize.
But there was a twist in Provo: Utah Jazz owners Ryan Smith and Ryan Sweeney were also identified on camera as in attendance for the kick, and each added $1 million to McAfee’s weekly contest while the show was on air, making Smith’s attempt worth a whopping $3 million — $2 million for Smith, and $1 million to charity. Smith missed his first attempt, but nailed the second, securing the $3 million.
Fast-forward to Friday’s Jazz opener, and McAfee was in attendance. Instead of the normal time-out contest featuring a random fan and a prize of a few thousand dollars, the Jazz upped the ante, tapping Finau, a Utah native, to attempt a $1 million putt for his foundation, but with the million dollars funded by McAfee.
After draining the putt on his second attempt, Finau performed some of his signature dance moves in celebration before embracing McAfee.
“I feel amazing,” McAfee said in the aftermath. “Obviously he’s going to make that putt. It’s an honor to be back in Utah, you people are the greatest. Tony, congratulations!”
