Growing up in small-town Idaho, Leighton Vander Esch famously played eight-man football, a version of the sport that requires athletes to do double-duty and play multiple positions on offense and defense, as well as special teams.
On Saturday, the former Cowboys linebacker had to reach way back and call on some of that long-lost gridiron versatility.
Vander Esch, who retired following the 2023 season after a six-year career with the Cowboys, made an appearance on ESPN's College GameDay on Saturday and was surprised with an opportunity to kick in Pat McAfee's popular field goal contest. The rules are simple: make the 33-yard try, and you win.
While a fan from the live audience waited his turn at the week's prize, McAfee introduced Vander Esch to
the appreciative crowd gathered on the Boise State campus. Vander Esch played linebacker there for the Broncos from 2014 through 2017 and was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year as a junior.
With next to no advance notice, Vander Esch was given the chance to attempt the kick as well, with a million-dollar donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on the line.
"Oh, gosh," Vander Esch laughed. "You're putting me on the spot."
Vander Esch was asked if he'd ever kicked before.
"In high school," he admitted. "It's been a minute."
It looked like it might have been even longer, though, as Vander Esch's attempt sailed very wide left.
Leighton stepped up for Luca and @MakeAWish with a $1 Million kick 💰❤️ pic.twitter.com/MPl7ytklyB
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 14, 2026
"Can I try it again?" the former first-round draft pick asked.
Given a second try, Vander Esch split the uprights with a beautiful end-over-end boot that secured the prize for Make-A-Wish, who had a young fan from Texas in attendance as part of the morning's festivities.
As Vander Esch looked on, the Boise State student then nailed his first attempt, winning a million dollars for himself, too.
Vander Esch tallied 469 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 13 TFLs, 13 passes defended, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 71 regular-season games for the Cowboys from 2018 through 2023. He was forced into an early retirement due to multiple neck injuries.
But on Saturday, his kicking leg was plenty good enough to earn a million bucks for a worthy cause.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: WATCH: Cowboys great Leighton Vander Esch tries kicking on ESPN's 'College GameDay'
