University of Georgia first-year students Henry Silver and Belle Sessions captured national attention with one decisive kick during ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Nov. 16. As the show rolled onto UGA’s Athens campus, Silver won $400,000 in total winnings by splitting the uprights on a 33-yard field goal in a Pat McAfee-led kicking contest.
Pat McAfee, a former NFL punter and current ESPN host, announced a raffle during the broadcast to give one UGA student a chance at a $200,000 prize. All the lucky winner had to do was make a 33-yard field goal on the show’s custom-made football set.
Belle Sessions was the winner of that raffle, but she was adamant that she couldn’t make the kick.
UGA first-year student Henry Silver kicks a field goal worth $400,000 on College GameDay. (Jackson Collier/Georgia Football)
Henry Silver, who happened to be right there with her, said he would take the kick and split the winnings. McAfee not only agreed to the arrangement, but he also doubled the prize money. If Silver made the shot, both he and Sessions would walk away with $200,000, and the remaining $400,000 in prize money would be donated to hurricane relief.
But there was a catch. Silver would only get one attempt.
As fate would have it, Silver attended a Pat McAfee Kicking Camp as a youngster. Those lessons must have been good, because Silver lined up the shot and split the uprights.
The crowd went wild. McAfee hugged Silver and Sessions before signing the oversized check on the spot.
The good vibes reverberating throughout campus continued into the evening as Georgia won a decisive 31-17 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers.
That following Monday, Sessions and Silver were invited to UGA’s Administration Building where they were personally congratulated by President Jere W. Morehead.
“This weekend was memorable for the University of Georgia in so many ways, including an incredible moment for two first-year students on College GameDay,” Morehead said in a post on Instagram. “We are so proud of Belle and Henry for representing UGA so well.”