Iowa High School Soccer Player Makes $3 Million Kick On ESPN

Saturday was a day a former Iowa high school soccer player will never forget.

Carter Smith, who graduated from Underwood High School in 2023, successfully made a field goal worth $3 million during ESPN’s College GameDay program earlier in the day. 

Hours later, Smith, a student at BYU, watched as the Cougars upset Notre Dame in a featured game to remain undefeated.

Iowa Native Dressed As Spider-Man Makes Big Kick On ESPN

Smith wore a Spider-Man costume while appearing on the program. He was selected to compete in the “Kicking is Easy” contest that is held by Pat McAfee, a former NFL punter.

The rules of the contest are simple. The person selected out of the crowd who attends the pregame show attempts a 33-yard field goal. Typically, the kick is worth $100,000.

However, the owner of the NBA Utah Jazz and NHL Utah Mammoth, Ryan Smith, was in attendance and offered up another $1 million. Ryan Sweeney, Smith’s business partner, did the same, making it worth $3 million for the Iowa native.

After missing on his first attempt, Smith was given a second try and knocked it through the uprights.

Carter Smith Scored Several Goals In Iowa High School Soccer

As a senior at Underwood, Smith started 13 matches, scoring one goal with three assists. He tallied three goals and five assists as a junior for the Eagles and also played as a sophomore.

“They’ve crashed the field goal set,” McAfee said after Smith’s successful kick. “Carter’s getting carried out here. Congrats, Carter.”

Smith and McAfee snapped a picture together in front of a cheering crowd.

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Half of the money from Sweeney was donated to charity, with the other half going to Smith for making the kick.

Earlier this year, a freshman from Texas was successful on a kick worth over $1.2 million. One when ESPN visited Ole Miss also made his kick.

Smith has been identified as a biology major at BYU.