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, former NFL punter, and professional wrestler. He hosts The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN and is an analyst on College GameDay. Previously, he played in the NFL and has also worked as a color commentator and occasional wrestler for WWE, showcasing his diverse talents across sports and entertainment.
March 22, 2009: Wrestling Match at IWA East Coast
On March 22, 2009, Pat McAfee wrestled against The WarPig at an IWA East Coast show, securing an upset victory.
2009: NFL Debut and Super Bowl XLIV Appearance
In 2009, Pat McAfee was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and handled punting and kickoff duties. He was part of the team that reached Super Bowl XLIV, where they lost to the New Orleans Saints. He was also named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team.
2009: Senior Bowl and College Football All-Star Challenge
In 2009, Pat McAfee was invited to the Senior Bowl in Alabama and started as the South team's kicker. He also performed in the 11th annual State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge, winning the "round the world" kicking competition.
2009: Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts
In 2009, Pat McAfee was selected 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.
2014: Named All-Pro
In 2014, during his eight-year career in the NFL, Pat McAfee was named an All-Pro player. This recognition marked a significant achievement in his professional football career.
2016: Stand-up Comic Routines
During his final season with the Colts in 2016, Pat McAfee began performing stand-up comic routines about his time in the NFL.
2016: Stand-up Performances and Radio Appearances
In 2016, Pat McAfee performed in stand-up events around Indiana and was a regular on The Bob & Tom Show.
February 2, 2017: Retires from the NFL to Join Barstool Sports
On February 2, 2017, Pat McAfee retired from the NFL after eight seasons. He stated he intended to join Barstool Sports as a contributor, citing a recent knee operation and fractured relationship with the Colts' general manager.
February 2017: Retirement from Football
In February 2017, Pat McAfee retired from professional football and transitioned into a career as a football analyst. This marked a shift from his role as a player to a media personality.
June 2017: Professional Wrestling Training
In June 2017, Pat McAfee briefly trained as a professional wrestler with Rip Rogers for Barstool Sports.
March 2018: Appearance at NXT Show in Indianapolis
In March 2018, Pat McAfee appeared at an NXT show in Indianapolis, interfering in a match between Adam Cole and Aleister Black.
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 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 game between Baylor and Texas Tech.
2018: NXT TakeOver Analyst
During 2018, Pat McAfee began appearing on WWE programming as a pre-show analyst for the company's NXT TakeOver events. He continued his mini-feud with Adam Cole.
2018: Professional Baseball Debut
In 2018, Pat McAfee made his professional baseball debut for the Washington Wild Things, playing right-fielder and guest first base coach.
2018: Guest Commentator for WWE NXT TakeOver
In 2018, Pat McAfee served as a guest commentator for WWE's NXT TakeOver events. This marked his initial involvement with WWE before signing a contract with the promotion.
2018: Incorporation of Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI)
In 2018, upon departing from Barstool Sports, Pat McAfee incorporated a small business, Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI), from his original office in Indianapolis.
2018: Guest Hosting for Fox Sports
In late 2018, Pat McAfee was a guest host for Fox Sports' college and NFL broadcasts. This opportunity allowed him to gain experience in sports broadcasting before joining ESPN.
February 2019: Signs Multi-Year Contract with WWE
In February 2019, Pat McAfee formally signed a multi-year contract with WWE.
February 2019: Signs with WWE
In February 2019, Pat McAfee signed a contract with WWE. This marked his official entry into professional wrestling as a commentator and occasional wrestler.
July 2019: Joins ESPN
In July 2019, Pat McAfee was announced as part of ESPN's Thursday Night College Football team. This marked a significant step in his broadcasting career, expanding his role as a sports analyst.
July 29, 2019: Joins ESPN as Color Analyst
On July 29, 2019, it was announced that Pat McAfee would be joining ESPN as the color analyst for their Thursday Night College Football broadcasts, alongside Matt Hasselbeck. He also began making regular appearances on Get Up! and College GameDay.
August 7, 2019: Radio Show Announcement
On August 7, 2019, it was reported that Pat McAfee would begin to host a two-hour, weekday radio show, The Pat McAfee Show, syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One.
September 9, 2019: The Pat McAfee Show Launch
On September 9, 2019, The Pat McAfee Show began airing as a two-hour, weekday radio show, syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One, marking a new venture in Pat McAfee's career.
August 2020: Parting Ways with DAZN
In August 2020, Pat McAfee and DAZN parted ways due to McAfee's disdain for FCC regulations on terrestrial radio.
September 2020: Move to Sirius XM
In September 2020, The Pat McAfee Show moved to Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports Radio, broadcasting from 12 to 3 pm on weekdays. The show is also broadcast live on YouTube.
2020: Feud with Adam Cole and In-Ring Debut
During 2020, Pat McAfee feuded with Adam Cole, leading to his WWE NXT in-ring debut at TakeOver XXX in a match against Cole, which he lost.
2020: Donation to the Barstool Fund
In 2020, Pat McAfee donated $200,000 to the Barstool Fund, a charity started by Dave Portnoy to provide relief to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Sideline Reporter for XFL Games
In 2020, Pat McAfee worked as a sideline reporter for some XFL games.
March 2021: Revival and Renaming of Wrestling Podcast
In March 2021, Pat McAfee Inc. brought back The Best Wrestling Show, formerly known as Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment, a wrestling podcast. However, the podcast was short-lived due to the departure of Mike Mansury and low viewership.
April 16, 2021: Joins SmackDown as Color Commentator
On April 16, 2021, WWE announced that Pat McAfee had been moved to the SmackDown brand, serving as 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, McAfee announced plans to move Pat McAfee Inc's (PMI) base of operations to a former United Methodist Church in Lawrence, Indiana.
2021: Donations to Various Causes
In 2021, Pat McAfee donated over $6 million to various causes, including sports teams at Plum High School, the children's hospital at West Virginia University, and a football program for under-privileged youth.
2021: Changes within PMI
In 2021, there were changes within Pat McAfee Inc (PMI), including the co-host replacement on That's Hockey Talk and Heartland Radio 2.0 evolving into The Pod. Good Bettor Bets was also re-branded into Hammer Dahn.
March 3, 2022: Interview with Vince McMahon and WrestleMania Match
On March 3, 2022, Pat McAfee interviewed Vince McMahon on The Pat McAfee Show, leading to a match offer at WrestleMania.
August 2022: Sirius XM Stops Airing The Pat McAfee Show
In August 2022, Sirius XM stopped airing The Pat McAfee Show, marking the end of its broadcast on the platform.
September 2022: Joins ESPN as Analyst
In September 2022, Pat McAfee returned to ESPN as a full-time analyst on College Gameday and for ESPN's coverage of major football events. He also participated in Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions college football telecasts on ESPN2, and guested on Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli.
2022: Match with Baron Corbin at SummerSlam
In 2022, Pat McAfee worked a match with his friend Baron Corbin at SummerSlam, where they previously were Indianapolis Colts teammates and roommates during their rookie year.
January 28, 2023: Surprise Return at Royal Rumble
On January 28, 2023, Pat McAfee made a surprise return for commentary at Royal Rumble.
May 2023: The Pat McAfee Show Moves to ESPN Platforms
In May 2023, ESPN announced that The Pat McAfee Show would move to its platforms, including ESPN television, ESPN+, and YouTube under a multi-year deal.
August 17, 2023: Debut Date Announced for The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN
On August 17, 2023, the debut date for The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, ESPN+ and YouTube was announced as September 7, 2023, coinciding with the 2023 NFL season opener.
September 7, 2023: The Pat McAfee Show Debuts on ESPN Platforms
On September 7, 2023, The Pat McAfee Show made its debut on ESPN, ESPN+ and YouTube, coinciding with the 2023 NFL season opener.
January 27, 2024: Returns at Royal Rumble as Commentator and Entrant
On January 27, 2024, Pat McAfee returned at Royal Rumble as a guest commentator and surprise entrant, eliminating himself from the match. It was later announced he was downloadable content for WWE 2K24. He also took a hiatus from WWE to return to College GameDay.
December 14, 2024: Returns to WWE commentary on Saturday Night's Main Event
On December 14, 2024, Pat McAfee returned to WWE to call Saturday Night's Main Event with Michael Cole and Jesse Ventura.
2024: Participates in The Soccer Tournament as a Player
In 2024, Pat McAfee participated in The Soccer Tournament as a player.
January 6, 2025: Returns as Full-Time Commentator for Raw
On January 6, 2025, Pat McAfee returned on the premiere of Raw on Netflix, partnering with Michael Cole as a full-time commentator.
May 10, 2025: Match Against Gunther at Backlash
On May 10, 2025, Pat McAfee faced Gunther at Backlash in St. Louis, Missouri, losing via technical submission.
June 2025: Hiatus from Commentating Due to Exhaustion
In June 2025, Pat McAfee announced he would be taking another hiatus from commentating due to mental exhaustion.
2025: Participates in The Soccer Tournament as a team manager
In 2025, Pat McAfee participated in The Soccer Tournament as a team manager.
2025: Commentary on Raw on Netflix
In 2025, Pat McAfee partnered with Michael Cole again for commentary on Raw on Netflix.
2025: College Gameday Kicking Contest
In 2025, as a co-host of ESPN's College Gameday, Pat McAfee had a weekly Kicking Contest, giving college students an opportunity to kick for prize money. McAfee gave $3.7 million to students.
2025: Returns as Commentator for Wrestlepalooza
On September 20, 2025, Pat McAfee made his return as a commentator for Wrestlepalooza in Indianapolis.
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