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, commentator, and former NFL punter. He gained prominence as a punter for the Indianapolis Colts before transitioning into sports media. McAfee hosts "The Pat McAfee Show," a popular sports talk show known for its humor and unfiltered analysis, now broadcast on ESPN. He is also a color commentator for WWE's Raw and has made occasional appearances as a wrestler, blending his sports background with entertainment.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 22, 2009: Match against The WarPig

On March 22, 2009, Pat McAfee participated in a match against The WarPig at an IWA East Coast show in South Charleston, West Virginia, securing a victory.

2009: Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts

In 2009, Pat McAfee was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the NFL draft.

2009: Senior Bowl and 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 State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge, winning the "round the world" kicking competition.

2009: NFL Debut and Super Bowl Appearance

In 2009, Pat McAfee was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the NFL draft, and handled punting and kickoff duties. He reached Super Bowl XLIV as part of the team, experiencing a loss against the New Orleans Saints. He was named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team.

2011: Punting Average for the Season

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

January 4, 2014: Tweet Incident and Contract Signing

On January 4, 2014, Pat McAfee tweeted a photo from the Colts locker room and apologized after a controversy, and was fined. He announced he had signed a five-year contract to remain with the Colts on March 7, 2014.

September 2014: AFC Special Teams Player of the Month

In September 2014, Pat McAfee was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month.

December 23, 2014: Selection to Pro Bowl

On December 23, 2014, Pat McAfee was selected to play in his first Pro Bowl.

2014: Named All-Pro

In 2014, Pat McAfee was named an All-Pro during his NFL career.

January 2, 2015: Named First Team All-Pro

On January 2, 2015, Pat McAfee was selected by the Associated Press as the First Team All-Pro punter.

2015: Emergency Quarterback

During the 2015 season, Pat McAfee nearly entered a game as an emergency quarterback and held the role throughout his tenure with the Colts.

December 20, 2016: Named to Second Pro Bowl

On December 20, 2016, Pat McAfee was named to his second Pro Bowl.

2016: Stand-Up Comic Routines

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

2016: Stand-up events around Indiana

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

February 2, 2017: Retirement Announcement

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

February 2017: Retirement from Football

In February 2017, Pat McAfee retired from football to become a football analyst.

June 2017: Professional Wrestling Training

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

March 2018: Involvement at an NXT show in Indianapolis

In March 2018, Pat McAfee was present at an NXT show in Indianapolis, interfering in a match between Adam Cole and Aleister Black to help Black win.

August 31, 2018: Separation from Barstool Sports

On August 31, 2018, Pat McAfee announced his separation from Barstool Sports.

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: WWE NXT Analyst

During 2018, Pat McAfee began appearing on WWE programming as a pre-show analyst for the company's NXT TakeOver events.

2018: Professional Baseball Debut

In 2018, Pat McAfee made his professional baseball debut for the Washington Wild Things, playing right-fielder and serving as a guest first base coach.

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 Hosting for Fox Sports

In late 2018, Pat McAfee served as 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).

February 2019: Signing a multi-year contract with WWE

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

February 2019: Signing 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 The Pat McAfee Show Radio Show

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

September 9, 2019: Debut of The Pat McAfee Show Radio Show

On September 9, 2019, The Pat McAfee Show radio show debuted, syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One.

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 swelled up soon afterwards.

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: 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 is also broadcast live on YouTube.

2020: Fans Push for Steelers Comeback

During the 2020 NFL season, fans began pushing for Pat McAfee to come out of retirement to play for his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers.

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: 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: XFL Sideline Reporter

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

March 2021: Revival of The Best Wrestling Show

In March 2021, Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI) brought back The Best Wrestling Show, formerly known as Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment.

April 16, 2021: Move to SmackDown

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.

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2021: Changes to PMI Podcasts

In 2021, Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI) saw changes to its podcasts, with That's Hockey Talk getting a new co-host and Heartland Radio 2.0 evolving into The Pod.

2021: Plans to Move PMI's Base of Operations

In 2021, Pat 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 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: Interview with Vince McMahon and WrestleMania Match Offer

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

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August 2022: Sirius XM stops airing The Pat McAfee Show

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

September 2022: Return to ESPN

In September 2022, it was announced that Pat McAfee would be returning to ESPN as a full-time analyst on College Gameday and for events like the Rose Bowl, College Football Playoff, Super Bowl, and Pro Bowl. He also participates in Omaha Productions college football alternate telecasts on ESPN2 and has guested on Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli.

2022: Work a match together at SummerSlam

In 2022, Pat McAfee and Thomas Pestock (Baron Corbin) worked a match together at SummerSlam.

January 28, 2023: Surprise Return for Commentary at Royal Rumble

On January 28, 2023, Pat McAfee made a surprise return for commentary at Royal Rumble, right before the men's Royal Rumble match began.

May 2023: The Pat McAfee Show to ESPN

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 of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN

On August 17, 2023, it was announced that The Pat McAfee Show would debut on ESPN, ESPN+ and YouTube on September 7, 2023, coinciding with the 2023 NFL season opener.

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September 7, 2023: Debut of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN

On September 7, 2023, The Pat McAfee Show made its debut on ESPN, ESPN+ and YouTube, coinciding with the 2023 NFL season opener.

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January 27, 2024: Return and participation at Royal Rumble

On January 27, 2024, Pat McAfee made a surprise return as guest commentator and surprise entrant #22 at Royal Rumble, quickly exiting the ring and eliminating himself.

December 14, 2024: Returns to WWE

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

2024: Participation in The Soccer Tournament

In 2024, Pat McAfee took part in The Soccer Tournament as a player.

January 6, 2025: Raw on Netflix premiere

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