Hundreds of NFL fans line up to attempt a kick at history
BY SHEMAR WOODS
Even NFL legends struggle to kick the ball through the uprights.
Jim Kelly, Rodney Peete, Antonio Pierce, Eddie George and the kicking Gramaticas -- Bill and Martin -- gathered with football fans in Times Square Friday afternoon to kick off the college bowl game season with Tostitos' "party with a purpose" to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City.
The former NFL players began a six-hour challenge to make at least 100 20-yard field-goal attempts in an effort to raise money and set a Guinness world record. As part of the event, Tostitos donated $100,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters. The donation was doubled when 181 kicks were made by the deadline.
"The amount of money you can raise if we make that 100th kick, you can affect a ton of lives in a positive way," said Martin Gramatica, who booted 155 field goals during his six-year NFL career. "And for us to be a part of that, it's awesome."
George was the only former NFL player to make a field goal on the first try, while Martin needed three attempts to succesfully kick the ball through the uprights, blaming his rust on a three-year hiatus from the football field. Peete blamed his misses on the absence of a place-holder before Kelly kneeled to assist him on a successful try.
“This is for all the Tostitos!” each player said before winding up. Luckily, a BCS national championship wasn’t on the line.
Once the pros successfully made their field goals after multiple misses, the fans to stepped up to the tee.
Some volunteer kickers aimed for the uprights and nailed the net behind the goal post. Others aimed at the uprights and nailed the referees signaling 'no good' underneath the goal post.
But aside from the shanks and splits, the event's cause overshadowed the potential record.
"Big Brothers Big Sisters, we need that now more than ever with all that's going on with our kids, the things that are going on with abuse," said George, a four-time Pro Bowl running back with the Titans. "We need people out here who have the best interest of the kids at heart versus their own agendas. Kicking field goals for a cause is tremendous. And you break a record on top of that."
Hundreds of people lined the cage outside the regulation-size end zone parked on Military Island for their attempt to help make history.
"When you see the kids and you talk to the kids, you understand how important it is for them to associate with someone who can give them an uplifting word and some encouragement," Kelly said.
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Jim Kelly, Rodney Peete, Antonio Pierce, Eddie George and the kicking Gramaticas -- Bill and Martin -- gathered with football fans in Times Square Friday afternoon to kick off the college bowl game season with Tostitos' "party with a purpose" to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City.
The former NFL players began a six-hour challenge to make at least 100 20-yard field-goal attempts in an effort to raise money and set a Guinness world record. As part of the event, Tostitos donated $100,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters. The donation was doubled when 181 kicks were made by the deadline.
"The amount of money you can raise if we make that 100th kick, you can affect a ton of lives in a positive way," said Martin Gramatica, who booted 155 field goals during his six-year NFL career. "And for us to be a part of that, it's awesome."
George was the only former NFL player to make a field goal on the first try, while Martin needed three attempts to succesfully kick the ball through the uprights, blaming his rust on a three-year hiatus from the football field. Peete blamed his misses on the absence of a place-holder before Kelly kneeled to assist him on a successful try.
“This is for all the Tostitos!” each player said before winding up. Luckily, a BCS national championship wasn’t on the line.
Once the pros successfully made their field goals after multiple misses, the fans to stepped up to the tee.
Some volunteer kickers aimed for the uprights and nailed the net behind the goal post. Others aimed at the uprights and nailed the referees signaling 'no good' underneath the goal post.
But aside from the shanks and splits, the event's cause overshadowed the potential record.
"Big Brothers Big Sisters, we need that now more than ever with all that's going on with our kids, the things that are going on with abuse," said George, a four-time Pro Bowl running back with the Titans. "We need people out here who have the best interest of the kids at heart versus their own agendas. Kicking field goals for a cause is tremendous. And you break a record on top of that."
Hundreds of people lined the cage outside the regulation-size end zone parked on Military Island for their attempt to help make history.
"When you see the kids and you talk to the kids, you understand how important it is for them to associate with someone who can give them an uplifting word and some encouragement," Kelly said.
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