Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Pat McAfee

How Pat McAfee built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Pat McAfee is an American sports analyst, color commentator, and former NFL punter. He gained prominence as a punter for the Indianapolis Colts before transitioning to a successful media career. McAfee hosts "The Pat McAfee Show," known for its blend of sports analysis and entertainment, now airing on ESPN. He also contributes as an analyst on College GameDay. Further expanding his presence in the entertainment industry, McAfee is a color commentator for WWE's Raw while also participating as an occasional wrestler, showcasing his multifaceted talents.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 22, 2009: Match against The WarPig at IWA East Coast

On March 22, 2009, Pat McAfee participated in a match against The WarPig at an IWA East Coast show in South Charleston, West Virginia. McAfee won the match after hitting WarPig with a low blow and a superkick.

2009: Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and Super Bowl XLIV Appearance

In 2009, Pat McAfee was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the NFL draft. During his rookie year in 2009, he played in Super Bowl XLIV, where the Colts lost against the New Orleans Saints.

2009: Senior Bowl and All-Star Challenge Participation

In 2009, Pat McAfee was invited to the Senior Bowl in Alabama, joining Mountaineers Pat White and Ellis Lankster. He started the Senior Bowl as the South team's kicker. Also in 2009, McAfee performed in the 11th annual State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge, winning the "round the world" kicking competition.

2009: NFL Draft and Debut Season with the Colts

In 2009, Pat McAfee was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He handled punting and kick-off duties for the Colts, as well as holding for extra points and field goals. As a result of a successful 2009 season, he was named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team.

January 4, 2014: Locker Room Incident and Contract Extension

On January 4, 2014, Pat McAfee tweeted a photo from the Colts locker room with teammate Andrew Luck almost completely nude in the background, leading to a $10,000 fine. Later, on March 7, McAfee announced he had signed a five-year contract to remain with the Colts.

2014: All-Pro Selection

In 2014, Pat McAfee was selected as an All-Pro during his eight-year career in the National Football League (NFL).

2015: Emergency Quarterback Role

During the 2015 season, Pat McAfee nearly entered a game as emergency quarterback after all three of the team's three listed quarterbacks on the team came down with injuries; however, he never officially took the field.

2016: Stand Up Comic Routines

During his final season with the Colts in 2016, Pat McAfee began to perform stand up comic routines about his time in the NFL.

2016: Stand-up events and The Bob & Tom Show

In 2016, Pat McAfee performed in stand-up events around Indiana and was a regular on The Bob & Tom Show.

February 2, 2017: Retirement and Joining Barstool Sports

On February 2, 2017, Pat McAfee retired from the NFL after eight seasons and stated he intended to join Barstool Sports as a contributor.

February 2017: Retirement from Football

In February 2017, Pat McAfee retired from football and transitioned to becoming a football analyst.

June 2017: Professional wrestling training with Rip Rogers

In June 2017, Pat McAfee briefly trained as a professional wrestler with Rip Rogers. The training was filmed for Barstool Sports.

March 2018: Appearance at NXT show in Indianapolis

In March 2018, McAfee appeared at an NXT show in Indianapolis. He interfered in Adam Cole's match against Aleister Black, causing a distraction that allowed Black to win.

August 31, 2018: Separation from Barstool Sports

On August 31, 2018, Pat McAfee announced his separation from Barstool Sports, citing a lack of transparency with the business operations of the company as his reason for leaving.

November 24, 2018: College Football Broadcasting Debut

On November 24, 2018, Pat McAfee made his college football broadcasting debut on Fox, calling a college football game between Baylor and Texas Tech.

2018: WWE programming appearances and NXT TakeOver events

During 2018, Pat McAfee started appearing on WWE programming as a pre-show analyst for NXT TakeOver events, beginning with NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. He also appeared at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 and NXT TakeOver: WarGames.

2018: Professional baseball debut

In 2018, Pat McAfee made his professional baseball debut for the Washington Wild Things as a right-fielder and guest first base coach. He went 0–3 at the plate.

2018: Guest Commentator for WWE's NXT TakeOver

In 2018, Pat McAfee served as a guest commentator for WWE's NXT TakeOver events.

2018: Guest Host for Fox Sports

In late 2018, Pat McAfee was a guest host for Fox Sports' college and NFL broadcasts.

2018: Incorporation of Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI)

Upon departing from Barstool Sports in 2018, Pat McAfee incorporated a small business, Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI), from his original office in Indianapolis.

February 2019: Signed multi-year contract with WWE

In February 2019, Pat McAfee formally signed a multi-year contract with WWE. He began hosting live watch-alongs of WWE's pay-per-views on YouTube.

February 2019: Signs Contract with WWE

In February 2019, Pat McAfee signed a contract with WWE.

July 2019: Joins ESPN's Thursday Night College Football Team

In July 2019, Pat McAfee was announced as part of ESPN's Thursday Night College Football team.

July 29, 2019: Joins ESPN as Color Analyst

On July 29, 2019, Pat McAfee joined ESPN as the color analyst for their Thursday Night College Football broadcasts.

August 7, 2019: Announcement of Radio Show Syndication

On August 7, 2019, it was reported that Pat McAfee would begin to host a two-hour, weekday radio show, The Pat McAfee Show, beginning September 9, 2019, syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One.

September 9, 2019: The Pat McAfee Show Launch

On September 9, 2019, The Pat McAfee Show was launched as a two-hour, weekday radio show, syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One.

2019: Workout with Chicago Bears

During the off-season in 2019, Pat McAfee worked out with the Chicago Bears as a placekicker.

2019: Initial Airing of Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment

In 2019, Pat McAfee created Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment, a wrestling podcast that aired one episode.

August 2020: Parting Ways with DAZN

In August 2020, Pat McAfee parted ways with DAZN due to his disdain for FCC regulations on terrestrial radio.

September 2020: Move to Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports Radio

In September 2020, The Pat McAfee Show moved to Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports Radio from 12 to 3 pm on weekdays. The show is also broadcast live on YouTube.

2020: Feud with Adam Cole and WWE NXT In-Ring Debut

During 2020, Pat McAfee feuded with Adam Cole, making his WWE NXT in-ring debut at TakeOver XXX in a loss to Cole.

2020: Rumors of Steelers Comeback

During the 2020 NFL season, there was fan push for Pat McAfee to come out of retirement to play for his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers.

2020: Donation to Barstool Fund

In 2020, Pat McAfee donated $200,000 to the Barstool Fund, a charity started by Dave Portnoy to support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 2021: Revival and Renaming of Wrestling Podcast

In March 2021, PMI brought back The Best Wrestling Show, formerly known as Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment, a wrestling podcast that had aired one episode in 2019.

April 16, 2021: Moved to SmackDown brand

On April 16, 2021, WWE announced that Pat McAfee had been moved to the SmackDown brand, where he served as a color commentator alongside Michael Cole.

December 9, 2021: Sponsorship Agreement with FanDuel

On December 9, 2021, Pat McAfee announced a four-year, $120 million sponsorship agreement with FanDuel to serve as the sponsor and official odds provider of The Pat McAfee Show.

2021: Plans to Move PMI's Base of Operations

In 2021, Pat McAfee announced plans to move PMI's base of operations to a former United Methodist Church in Lawrence, Indiana.

2021: Charitable donations

In 2021, Pat McAfee donated over $6 million to various causes. These donations included support for sports teams at his hometown high school Plum, the children's hospital at West Virginia University, and a football program for underprivileged youth run by former teammate Robert Mathis.

2021: Changes to PMI Podcasts

In 2021, changes were made to podcasts produced by PMI. That's Hockey Talk got a new co-host. Heartland Radio 2.0 evolved into The Pod and Good Bettor Bets was re-branded into Hammer Dahn.

March 3, 2022: Interview and WrestleMania Match

On March 3, 2022, on The Pat McAfee Show, Pat McAfee interviewed Vince McMahon, who offered McAfee a match at WrestleMania.

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August 2022: Sirius XM Stopped Airing The Pat McAfee Show

In August 2022, Sirius XM stopped airing The Pat McAfee Show.

January 27, 2024: Surprise return at Royal Rumble 2024

On January 27, 2024, Pat McAfee made a surprise return at Royal Rumble as a guest commentator and surprise entrant at #22 in the men's Royal Rumble match. He eliminated himself. He was later announced as downloadable content for WWE 2K24.

December 14, 2024: Returns to WWE Commentary

On December 14, 2024, Pat McAfee returned to the WWE to call Saturday Night's Main Event with Michael Cole and Jesse Ventura.

January 6, 2025: Return on Raw on Netflix

On January 6, 2025, Pat McAfee returned on the premiere of Raw on Netflix, partnering with Michael Cole, and has since become a full time commentator for the brand.

May 10, 2025: Match against Gunther at Backlash

On May 10, 2025, Pat McAfee faced Gunther at Backlash in St. Louis, Missouri. Gunther won the match via technical submission by choking McAfee out with a sleeper hold.