Pat McAfee is sending $1 million to the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital after the ESPN College GameDay stop in Iowa City.
The donation comes after a weekend that had Iowa City buzzing from start to finish, even with the Hawkeyes falling to Ohio State. The bigger picture, though, was bigger than the final score. The scene around the game underscored what college sports can be at its best: passion, fandom, and a community that shows up loud and proud.
McAfee has made a habit of backing the student field goal attempts on College GameDay, putting up the money himself when students try to drill a kick that can change their lives. This weekend’s attempt did not split the uprights, but McAfee still moved forward with a major gesture tied to the city and the hospital.
On The Pat McAfee Show, he announced the donation and explained why he felt it mattered to follow through.
"A lot of people were coming after me for not doing the donation, and I think those people are pretty right. It didn't feel right after as I was thinking about it."
We will donate a million to that children's hospital. I would like to be a part of help for them.
And I also think we are going to be doing some work together in the future.
"I would just like to let everybody know we will be donating one million dollars to that hospital. We would like to thank that hospital for their hospitality and for what they do.
"They need to know how much they empower and help everybody else that comes in contact with them. Keep kicking ass," McAfee said.
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