Poor Kyle Brotzman

Kyle Brotzman is the kicker who cost Boise State an $8 million payout. By missing two chip shot field goals–a 26-yard attempt at the end of regulation that would have won the game, and a 29-yarder in overtime that would have continued it–Brotzman cost Boise State their perfect season and an invitation to the Rose Bowl, an invitation that would have meant an additional $8 million cash to Boise, not to mention the added media attention and exposure of the Rose Bowl compared to the Maaco Bowl, where Boise will play tonight. Since money isn’t involved in “amatuer” athletics, of course, Brotzman himself hasn’t seen a dime of Boise’s success, but he will always know that he cost his school $8 million. It turns out that in the big-time pressure of college athletics, the only ones who don’t make any money are the colleges and the athletes.