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 a multifaceted American entertainer. He gained initial fame as a punter in the NFL. Post-football, he transitioned into sports media, hosting 'The Pat McAfee Show,' known for its irreverent and engaging style. McAfee also works as an analyst on ESPN's 'College GameDay'. His media presence further extends to professional wrestling, where he serves as a color commentator for WWE's 'Raw' and occasionally participates as a wrestler. He's known for his energetic personality and contributions to sports and entertainment.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 22, 2009: IWA East Coast Wrestling Match

On March 22, 2009, a month before the NFL draft, McAfee participated in a wrestling match against The WarPig at an IWA East Coast show in South Charleston, West Virginia, where he secured a victory using underhanded tactics.

2009: NFL Draft and Rookie Season

In 2009, McAfee was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and handled punting and kick-off duties for the team. He was part of the team that won the AFC South, AFC Championship, and reached Super Bowl XLIV. He was also named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team.

2009: Senior Bowl and All-Star Challenge Participation

In 2009, McAfee was invited to the Senior Bowl in Alabama, joining Pat White and Ellis Lankster. He also performed in the 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. He also played in Super Bowl XLIV during his rookie year, where the Colts were defeated by the New Orleans Saints.

November 2011: Hair Donation to Locks of Love

In November 2011, Pat McAfee donated his hair to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to underprivileged children suffering from long-term illnesses.

January 4, 2014: Tweet Incident and Fine

On January 4, 2014, McAfee tweeted a photo with teammate Andrew Luck in the background and was subsequently fined $10,000 by the Colts organization. He also announced that he signed a five-year contract to remain with the Colts on March 7.

December 23, 2014: Pro Bowl Selection

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

2014: Named All-Pro

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

January 2, 2015: Named First Team All-Pro

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

May 2016: Creation of Shirts for America

In May 2016, McAfee established a company called Shirts for America to sponsor IndyCar driver Conor Daly for the 2016 Indianapolis 500 and to support both the Pat McAfee Foundation and Wish for Our Heroes.

December 20, 2016: Second Pro Bowl Selection

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

2016: Stand-Up Comic Routines

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

2016: Stand-up Performances and Radio Appearances

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

February 2, 2017: Retirement Announcement

On February 2, 2017, McAfee retired from the NFL after eight seasons, citing his knee operation and relationship with the Colts' general manager. He intended to join Barstool Sports as a contributor.

February 2017: Retirement from Football

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

June 2017: Professional Wrestling Training

In June 2017, McAfee underwent a brief period of professional wrestling training with Rip Rogers, which was documented for Barstool Sports.

March 2018: NXT Show Appearance in Indianapolis

In March 2018, McAfee attended an NXT show in Indianapolis, where he interfered in a match between Adam Cole and Aleister Black, costing Cole the victory.

August 31, 2018: Separation from Barstool Sports

On August 31, 2018, McAfee announced his separation from Barstool Sports due to a lack of transparency with business operations.

November 24, 2018: College Football Broadcasting Debut on Fox

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

2018: Appearance on WWE programming

During 2018, McAfee began appearing on WWE programming as a pre-show analyst for the company's NXT TakeOver events, beginning with NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, where he continued his mini-feud with Adam Cole. He later appeared at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 and NXT TakeOver: WarGames.

2018: Incorporation of Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI)

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

2018: Professional Baseball Debut

In 2018, McAfee made his professional baseball debut for the Washington Wild Things, playing right-fielder and serving as a guest first base coach. During the game, he made a putout in the outfield and reached second base due to a throwing error.

2018: Guest Commentator for WWE's NXT TakeOver events

In 2018, McAfee served as a guest commentator for WWE's NXT TakeOver events, marking his initial foray into professional wrestling commentary.

2018: Guest Hosting for Fox Sports

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

February 2019: Signs with WWE

In February 2019, McAfee signed a contract with WWE, expanding his career into professional wrestling entertainment.

February 2019: Signing a multi-year contract with WWE

In February 2019, Pat McAfee formally signed a multi-year contract with WWE. Subsequently, he started hosting live watch-alongs of WWE's pay-per-views on YouTube, beginning with Fastlane, accompanied by several WWE wrestlers.

July 29, 2019: Joins ESPN

In July 2019, it was announced that McAfee would be joining ESPN's Thursday Night College Football team.

July 29, 2019: Joining ESPN as Color Analyst

On July 29, 2019, it was announced that 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 McAfee would begin hosting 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 launched, syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One.

2019: Workout with Chicago Bears

During the 2019 off-season, McAfee worked out with the Chicago Bears as a placekicker, but his knee swelled up afterwards.

2019: Original Airing of Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment

In 2019, Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment (later known as The Best Wrestling Show) aired one episode.

August 2020: Parting Ways with DAZN

In August 2020, McAfee and DAZN parted ways due to his 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 and began broadcasting live on YouTube.

2020: Feud with Adam Cole and WWE NXT 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 which he lost to Cole.

2020: Donation to the Barstool Fund

In 2020, McAfee contributed $200,000 to the Barstool Fund, a charity founded by Dave Portnoy to aid small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Sideline Reporter for the XFL

In 2020, Pat McAfee worked as a sideline reporter for some XFL games, marking another venture into sports commentary.

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: Move to SmackDown Brand

On April 16, 2021, WWE announced that 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, McAfee announced a four-year, $120 million sponsorship agreement with FanDuel for The Pat McAfee Show.

2021: Plans to Move PMI's Base of Operations

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

2021: Donations to Various Causes

In 2021, 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 underprivileged youth run by former teammate Robert Mathis.

March 3, 2022: McAfee Interviewed by Vince McMahon

On March 3, 2022, McAfee interviewed Vince McMahon on The Pat McAfee Show. During the interview, 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.

September 2022: Return to ESPN

In September 2022, it was announced that McAfee would be returning to ESPN as a full-time analyst on College Gameday. He also serves as an analyst for ESPN's coverage of various events and is part of Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions college football alternate telecasts on ESPN2.

2022: Match with Baron Corbin at SummerSlam

In 2022, McAfee had a match with Baron Corbin at SummerSlam. The two were teammates and roommates during their rookie year with the Indianapolis Colts.

January 28, 2023: Surprise Return at Royal Rumble

On January 28, 2023, at Royal Rumble, Pat McAfee made a surprise return as a commentator just before the men's Royal Rumble match commenced.

May 2023: ESPN Announces The Pat McAfee Show Move

In May 2023, ESPN announced that The Pat McAfee Show would be moving to its platforms, including ESPN television, ESPN+, and YouTube, under a multi-year deal. McAfee cited better access to resources and league rights as key factors in the decision.

August 17, 2023: The Pat McAfee Show Debut 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.

September 7, 2023: The Pat McAfee Show Debut on ESPN, ESPN+ and YouTube

On September 7, 2023, The Pat McAfee Show made its debut on ESPN, ESPN+, and YouTube, coinciding with the start of the 2023 NFL season. This move was part of a multi-year deal with ESPN.

January 27, 2024: Royal Rumble Return as Commentator and Entrant

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

December 14, 2024: Returns to WWE Commentary

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

January 6, 2025: Return to WWE Raw on Netflix

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