Here’s What It’s Really Like Attempting a 43-Yard Field Goal (in the Snow!)

Published on Jan. 14, 2019 on Sports Illustrated

CHICAGO — Zac Connelly watched in disbelief as Cody Parkey’s 43-yard field-goal attempt bounced off the uprights and then the crossbar. He kept watching as Parkey put his helmet back on after praying with teammates and jogged off the field to deafening boos from Bears fans who packed Soldier Field for the 16–15 wild-card playoff loss against the Eagles. Connelly was heartbroken for his hometown team, and he knew Parkey was about to get destroyed by fans and media who would blame him for the Bears loss, even though he’d scored nine of Chicago’s 15 points.

Connelly, a senior experiential operations manager for the Chicago brewery Goose Island Beer Co., sat at home drinking the brewery’s Next Coast IPA. He looked at his beer, looked back at the TV, and had a wild idea. Wouldn’t it be funny if we put up field-goal posts outside of the brewery? he texted his boss. All you armchair kickers who think this is so easy to kick a 43-yard field goal, come give it a shot and win free beer if you can.