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 hosts "The Pat McAfee Show" on ESPN, a popular sports talk show known for its humor and unfiltered commentary. McAfee also works as an analyst on College GameDay. Additionally, he has a presence in WWE as a color commentator and occasional wrestler. McAfee's career spans both traditional sports and entertainment, making him a unique and influential figure in the media landscape.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 22, 2009: McAfee involved in match against The WarPig at an IWA East Coast show

On March 22, 2009, Pat McAfee was involved in a wrestling match against The WarPig at an IWA East Coast show in South Charleston, West Virginia, where McAfee secured an upset victory.

2009: NFL Draft and Early Career with the Colts

In 2009, Pat McAfee was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round, handled punting and kickoff duties, won the AFC Championship, and reached Super Bowl XLIV. He was also named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

2009: Senior Bowl and All-Star Challenge Participation

In 2009, Pat McAfee was invited to the Senior Bowl and participated in the State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge, winning the "round the world" kicking competition.

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

In 2009, Pat McAfee was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the NFL draft and played in Super Bowl XLIV during his rookie year.

2011: Punting Average in 2011 Season

In 2011, Pat McAfee maintained a 46.6-yard punting average for the season.

January 4, 2014: Andrew Luck Photo Incident

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

2015: Emergency Quarterback Role

During the 2015 NFL season, Pat McAfee nearly entered a game as an emergency quarterback for the Colts due to injuries, a role he held throughout his tenure with the team.

2016: Stand-Up Comedy and Joining Barstool Sports

During his final season with the Colts in 2016, Pat McAfee began performing stand-up comedy and, following his retirement, joined Barstool Sports.

2016: McAfee performs in stand-up events and appears on The Bob & Tom Show

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

February 2, 2017: Retirement from the NFL

On February 2, 2017, Pat McAfee retired from the NFL, citing knee issues and a fractured relationship with the Colts' general manager, and intended to join Barstool Sports.

February 2017: Retirement from NFL

In February 2017, Pat McAfee retired from the NFL and began a career as a football analyst.

June 2017: McAfee trains as a professional wrestler with Rip Rogers

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

March 2018: McAfee present at an NXT show in Indianapolis

In March 2018, Pat McAfee was present at an NXT show in Indianapolis, where he prevented Adam Cole from winning by disqualification in his match against 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 in business operations.

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: McAfee begins appearing on WWE programming

During 2018, Pat McAfee began appearing on WWE programming as a pre-show analyst for NXT TakeOver events and continued his feud with Adam Cole.

2018: Incorporation of Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI)

In 2018, Pat McAfee incorporated Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI) after departing from Barstool Sports, continuing his charity and selling merchandise.

2018: McAfee makes his 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.

2018: Guest Commentator for WWE NXT TakeOver

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

2018: Guest Hosting for Fox Sports

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

February 2019: McAfee formally signs a multi-year contract with WWE

In February 2019, Pat McAfee officially signed a multi-year contract with WWE.

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 joined ESPN's Thursday Night College Football team as an analyst.

July 29, 2019: Joins ESPN as Color Analyst for Thursday Night College Football

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.

August 7, 2019: Announcement of Radio Show

On August 7, 2019, it was reported that Pat McAfee would begin hosting The Pat McAfee Show, a weekday radio show syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One.

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September 9, 2019: Launch of The Pat McAfee Show

On September 9, 2019, Pat McAfee began hosting his two-hour, weekday radio show, The Pat McAfee Show, syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One.

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2019: Workout with the Chicago Bears

During the off-season in 2019, Pat McAfee worked out with the Chicago Bears as a placekicker, but his knee issues resurfaced.

2019: Airing of first episode of Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment

In 2019, one episode of the wrestling podcast "Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment" aired.

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: The Pat McAfee Show Moves to Sirius XM

In September 2020, The Pat McAfee Show moved to Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports Radio and was also broadcast live on YouTube.

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2020: Fans Push for McAfee to Join Steelers

During the 2020 NFL season, fans pushed for Pat McAfee to come out of retirement and play for the Pittsburgh Steelers due to their punting struggles.

2020: McAfee donates to the Barstool Fund

In 2020, Pat McAfee donated $200,000 to the Barstool Fund, which was started by Dave Portnoy to provide relief to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

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

2020: McAfee works as a sideline reporter for the XFL

In 2020, Pat McAfee worked as a sideline reporter for some of the XFL games.

March 2021: Revival of The Best Wrestling Show

In March 2021, PMI brought back The Best Wrestling Show, formerly known as Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment, a wrestling podcast.

April 16, 2021: McAfee moved to WWE SmackDown brand

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

September 16, 2021: Mike Tomlin's Admiration

On September 16, 2021, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his admiration for Pat McAfee, joking about signing him in the future on The Pat McAfee Show.

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December 9, 2021: $120 Million 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.

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2021: Changes in PMI's Podcasts

In 2021, Pat McAfee Inc.'s (PMI) That's Hockey Talk podcast had Mike Rupp replace A.Q. Shipley as co-host, Heartland Radio 2.0 evolved into The Pod, and Good Bettor Bets rebranded into Hammer Dahn with Michael Lombardi as a guest co-host.

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: McAfee donates over $6 million to various causes

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

March 3, 2022: McAfee interviews Vince McMahon on The Pat McAfee Show

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

August 2022: Sirius XM Stops Airing The Pat McAfee Show

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

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2022: McAfee works a match at SummerSlam with Baron Corbin

In 2022, Pat McAfee worked a match with Baron Corbin at SummerSlam.

January 28, 2023: McAfee makes a surprise return for commentary at Royal Rumble

On January 28, 2023, Pat McAfee made a surprise return for commentary at Royal Rumble.

May 2023: ESPN announces The Pat McAfee Show would move to its 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.

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August 17, 2023: Debut Date for The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN Announced

On August 17, 2023, it was announced that The Pat McAfee Show would debut on ESPN, ESPN+, and YouTube on September 7, 2023.

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January 27, 2024: McAfee Returns to Royal Rumble

On January 27, 2024, Pat McAfee returned at Royal Rumble as a surprise guest commentator and entrant at #22 in the men's Royal Rumble match, quickly eliminating himself.