How a 2016 extra-point attempt lifted a mourning family and inspires Iowa State football

AMES, Ia. — Most of the announced crowd of 50,787 fans at Jack Trice Stadium on Nov. 19, 2016, didn’t know the significance of Iowa State kicker Peyton Paddock’s extra-point attempt that night. In a 66-10 win over Texas Tech, most people tuning in couldn't have had a clue just how important Paddock’s fourth-quarter kick was.

But with that one moment, a redshirt freshman walk-on from Monticello inspired a team and lifted his still-grieving family following the unexpected death of his brother Cameron. Just two months earlier, Cameron was killed by a drunk driver.

Cameron's dream had always been to see his little brother play in a Division I football game. And, albeit too late, there Peyton was. As he got ready to boot the first official kick of his college career, Peyton thought about his brother.

“My legs were shaking a little bit, to be honest with you,” Peyton said.

Seconds later, Peyton successfully launched a line drive between the uprights. It was the finishing touch to a memorable moment in Iowa State coach Matt Campbell’s first season, and it's one that most fans — at least until now — hadn't known about.

“One of the greatest highlights of that season wasn’t the fact that we won the game and Joel (Lanning) played well and all of those things,” Campbell said. “That’s all great. One of my greatest takes ever leaving that game was that Peyton got the opportunity to go in and score a point for his team. To see the joy it brought to him was really rewarding for me, and I know it was for our coaching staff as well.”

'He was his No. 1 supporter'

Cameron was always one of Peyton’s biggest fans. When Peyton started kicking around fifth grade, Cameron would go out and shag balls for him. One of the highlights of Cameron’s senior season at Monticello High School was when Peyton was brought up for a few kicks on the varsity squad. Even with Cameron away at Iowa Central Community College, Grand View University and finally Iowa State, he always found time to hang out and watch Peyton play.

Cameron would make the drive back to Monticello when Peyton was in high school to catch everything — football, baseball, wrestling, soccer, track and field, Cameron was there. When Peyton would go to football camps growing up, Cameron would tag along and sometimes even take him.

“He was his No. 1 supporter,” said Michael Paddock, Cameron and Peyton's father.

They were friends, too. Peyton and Cameron would fish, play video games and grab lunch together. When Cameron transferred to Iowa State, he lived about a mile away from Peyton’s apartment at Frederiksen Court.

After Peyton would finish with academic meetings and his course work on Mondays, the two would hit the golf course together every week.

“They really did get super close,” Michael Paddock said.

Cameron’s death may have been the hardest on Peyton. On Sept. 24, 2016, a 2002 Lexus driven by Cameron was traveling east on Highway 11 in Wisconsin when a 2004 GMC Savana van traveling west, driven by John Drew Brewington, crossed the center line and collided with the Lexus. Brewington was drunk at the time.

Brewington, along with Cameron’s fiancée, Monika Gorham, were taken to a local hospital. Cameron suffered severe injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

When the accident occurred, Peyton was fast asleep in his apartment. He had to be up early that morning for Iowa State’s 11 a.m. kickoff against San Jose State at Jack Trice Stadium. Michael knew Peyton would be getting up early and didn’t want him finding out the news some other way. And he really didn’t want Peyton getting in the car and driving back to Monticello on his own.

So, Michael sent Patti Handel (his sister) and her husband, both season ticket-holders and already in town for the game that day, over to Peyton’s apartment. They were waiting at the door when Michael called Peyton and broke him the news.

“I got the call from my dad and he told me to go to the door and I saw my aunt and uncle there," Peyton said. "I knew something was wrong.”

“He dropped to the floor,” Handel said. “We hugged him and let him go through all his tears, because we cried with him.”  

'I wanted to make sure we were there for him'

Cameron's death shook Peyton, who returned home for two weeks. 

"I felt completely lost," Peyton said. "I didn't know what to do. A lot of the time, I was just down in my room. I did spend a lot of time crying, just wondering what was going on and just asking why it happened."

Peyton found comfort in his Iowa State family. Campbell and Joe Houston, who worked with Iowa State's kickers, reached out to Peyton daily. Some of his teammates on special teams came to Monticello for the wake. Following the win over San Jose State, kicker Cole Netten and holder Kyle Starcevich took a picture of themselves with Peyton's jersey in the locker room and sent it to him. 

"I wanted to make sure we were there for him," Campbell said.

Campbell gave Peyton as much time as he needed to be away. He assured him that whenever he was ready to return, a spot would be waiting for him.

When he did come back, the team welcomed him back with open arms. Iowa State's athletic department helped Peyton get an emotional support dog he could have on campus, a black lab named Vader. Peyton picked the name to honor Cameron, who was a big fan of the "Star Wars" franchise. Houston also kept in close contact with Peyton's parents. 

But Campbell thought they could do more. Campbell, who had been impressed with Peyton's work ethic ever since he'd arrived in Ames, was even more impressed with the focus and energy he had when he returned to practice.

Campbell wanted to reward Peyton. So, in the back of his mind, he kept the idea of sending Peyton out for a kick sometime. 

"I constantly thought as Peyton came back to the team that I'd love to reward this guy, because he's a guy who has gone through this tragic event, yet, he's still coming back to practice and he's working and he's helping his football team," Campbell said.

'It meant a lot'

There weren't many highlights that season. It was Campbell's first year in Ames, and Iowa State won just three games. The first was San Jose State, the second a close call against Kansas.

But when Texas Tech rolled to town, the Cyclones clobbered the Red Raiders. Most people will remember Lanning running for five touchdowns that night. 

The highlight was Campbell was getting Paddock in the game to kick the final extra point. As Paddock got ready for the kick, he thought about his brother. 

"It meant a lot, because it was a dream him and I had together," Peyton said. 

Iowa State's sidelines went nuts as Peyton successfully made the kick. Former Iowa State linebacker Levi Peters, who was friends with Peyton, raced down from the stands and ran onto the sidelines. Peyton was wearing a gifted set of dog tags from Peters that were inscribed with the date of Cameron's death.

They also read, "I play for you, Cameron."

Peyton's parents were in the stands and knew just how important the kick was. So did some of the other parents around them. 

"I think it really helped Peyton a lot, just getting the opportunity," Michael said. "His brother always told him he knew (Peyton would) be good enough to do it. He just had to get an opportunity to do it." 

More opportunities could be on the way for Peyton. The Texas Tech game was his first bit of playing experience for him. Two years later, Peyton handled kickoff duties for Iowa State against Drake and averaged 54.8 yards on five attempts. Campbell said he's in prime position to take over Iowa State's kickoff duties this season. 

And if he does, Cameron will never be far from his mind.

Peyton wears a necklace with a fingerprint of Cameron's on it. He also has a tattoo on his left shoulder of Cameron's birthday and football number (74). He said he even feels his brother's presence when he's on the football field. 

"I think he'd be proud," Peyton said.

And whenever Peyton returns home, his brother's grave is the first and last stop he makes.