Kick for Cash

Family and Football

 

The beginning of this story starts during my childhood. 

As a Nebraskan, I'm a lifelong Huskers fan. 

My fondest childhood memories were surrounded by watching the Huskers play football. 

As a kid, I remember being glued to the TV and watching them win the National Title in 97. I also vividly recall our heartbreaking loss against Texas in the Big 12 Championship in 2009.

Oddly enough, the first-ever Husker game I got to experience in person was against Oklahoma — with a different scoreline, though.

Whenever I was in the stadium or watched the Huskers on TV, it was "magical." No other word really comes to mind. Like, it was more than a sport.

It was community.

It was passion.

As I got older, I decided to serve my country and joined the military.

I was stationed all over the world, thousands of miles away from home.

But, no matter how far away I was or what time of day, I tuned in to follow Husker football.

When I was in South Korea, for example, I got up at 3 am in the morning, listening to the Huskers play on the local radio streams online.

It was a connection to home, you know?

Again, it was more than just football.

I Can Do That 

 

Fast-forward to the present day, I was at the North Dakota game. 

I watched the "Kick For Cash" attempt where a person would try a 30-yard field goal for $5k. 

The person missed the kick, and I scoffed and thought, "I could do that!" 

Then, I heard the announcer mention that anyone could sign up via fnbo.com/huskers, so I signed up right then and there. 

Of course, I didn't expect anything to come of it. 

I mean, how many thousands of people sign up for those things? 

I watched the rest of the game, enjoyed the victory, and headed home. 

But then, on a Friday morning, I got a call from FNBO. 

Now, I was in the process of buying a home, and I just received note that the offer we put down was accepted a few hours before. 

So, when FNBO called, I was ready to talk about that process.

But to my surprise, they called about the "Kick For Cash" campaign and that I was selected to do this during the Oklahoma game. 

It was surreal. 

Honestly, I felt like I had won the lottery. 

My mind quickly raced to the field goal moment.

I had only ever kicked a football as a child with my sister’s help.

I wasn’t really sure I was up to the task. It was an uneasy but wild feeling!

I answered a few simple questions to ensure I was eligible and told them my plus one was going to be my father. 

Football and family remember? 

I wouldn't want to have it any other way. 

So, you want to be a kicker?

 

With little time to prepare, I had a lot of work to do before Saturday's big kick. 

I first went to Scheels and bought a football that was as close to NCAA regulation as possible and a tee. 

Next, I talked with the athletic director at Pius X High School, who was kind enough to allow me to work on my kicks before practice. 

So, that's what I did. 

I watched some YouTube videos and worked on my technique. 

It felt like I was part of a Rocky montage. 

Overall, I probably practiced around 100 kicks — making maybe 30 of them?

On my last day of practice, I made five in a row, and felt that was a good place to stop. 

With that momentum, I decided to get ready and head to Memorial Stadium. 

It was showtime. 

My Moment

 

The experience of that game is one I'll never forget.

The excitement was unbelievable. 

When it was time for me to head down to the sideline and get ready for my kick during halftime, butterflies and nerves definitely started to kick in a bit.

Once I walked on the field, however, I was calm and collected.

I was just focused on the task at hand. 

I kept telling myself over and over, "put your left foot down and follow through." 

I was in a perfect state of Zen, entirely in the moment. 

The only time I was slightly fazed was when I caught a glimpse of myself on the jumbotron. I've never seen myself that big, and it was surprising!

The person running the promotion handed me the ball and told me to place it in the middle of the 20. 

So, I did just that.

I took a few steps back and took the kick.

Once in a Lifetime Experience

 

It was up, and it looked good all the way.

Once I realized it also had the distance, I knew I made it.

The crowd erupted.

I've been part of Husker celebrations many times. 

At home, watching on TV, in bars, in stadiums, and even in other countries, but nothing could prepare me for the exhilaration you get from thousands of people cheering for you.

And honestly, it caught me a bit by surprise.

The game obviously didn't go as planned, but regardless, the fans really were excited for me.

Even as I walked off the field again, people congratulated me.

It was authentic and real. And I think that's what makes this fanbase so special.

It was a wonderful moment and a day I'll never forget.

Thank you, Nebraska.

Thank you, Huskers.

And thank you, FNBO.

Go Big Red!