History of Pat McAfee in Timeline
Patrick Justin McAfee is a multi-talented American personality known for his work in sports and entertainment. He is a sports analyst, notably working on ESPN's College GameDay, and hosts The Pat McAfee Show, a popular program available on YouTube and ESPN platforms. Besides his media roles, McAfee is a former professional football player and currently contributes to WWE as a color commentator and occasional wrestler. His diverse career spans sports, media, and entertainment.
May 2, 1987: Birth of Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee was born on May 2, 1987.
2007: College Football Recognition
In 2007, Pat McAfee was named a Lou Groza Award semi-finalist, earned Big East Special Team Player of the week honors three times, and was named second-team All-Big East. He also won West Virginia's Scott Shirley Award for the second consecutive year.
March 22, 2009: McAfee's Wrestling Match Against The WarPig
Before his NFL draft, on March 22, 2009, Pat McAfee participated in a wrestling match against The WarPig at an IWA East Coast show in South Charleston, West Virginia. Despite being dominated for most of the match, McAfee surprised everyone by defeating The WarPig.
2009: NFL Draft and Super Bowl Appearance
In 2009, Pat McAfee was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and played in Super Bowl XLIV, where the Colts lost to the New Orleans Saints.
2009: Senior Bowl and Pre-Draft Workouts
Pat McAfee participated in the 2009 Senior Bowl and had team workouts with the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and New England Patriots.
2009: Drafted by the Colts and Super Bowl Appearance
Pat McAfee was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft. He played in Super Bowl XLIV, handling kickoff and punt duties in the loss to the New Orleans Saints. He was named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team for his performance.
October 20, 2010: McAfee Arrested for Public Intoxication
On October 20, 2010, McAfee was arrested and charged with public intoxication after being found shirtless and wet, having allegedly swum in a canal in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis. He later issued a public apology for his actions.
November 2011: McAfee Donates Hair to Locks of Love
In November 2011, McAfee showed his support for underprivileged children battling long-term illnesses by cutting his hair and donating it to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces.
2011: Improved Punting Average
Pat McAfee achieved a 46.6-yard punting average in the 2011 NFL season, improving on his previous year's performance.
January 4, 2014: Locker Room Incident and Contract Extension
On January 4, 2014, Pat McAfee was fined $10,000 by the Colts for tweeting a photo of a teammate in the locker room. Later that year, he signed a five-year contract extension with the Colts.
September 2014: AFC Special Teams Player of the Month
Pat McAfee was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September 2014.
December 23, 2014: First Pro Bowl Selection
Pat McAfee was selected to his first Pro Bowl on December 23, 2014.
2014: All-Pro Selection
Pat McAfee was named an All-Pro in 2014 for his outstanding performance as a punter.
January 2, 2015: Named First Team All-Pro
Pat McAfee was named a First Team All-Pro punter by the Associated Press on January 2, 2015.
2015: Near Quarterback Appearance and Emergency Role
In 2015, Pat McAfee nearly played as emergency quarterback for the Colts. He was one of only four punters in the NFL to hold this role.
February 5, 2016: McAfee Sets Guinness World Record
On February 5, 2016, Pat McAfee set a Guinness World Record by kicking a 40-yard field goal while blindfolded.
May 2016: McAfee Creates "Shirts for America"
In May 2016, McAfee launched a company called "Shirts for America" to sponsor IndyCar driver Conor Daly in the Indianapolis 500, with proceeds benefiting the Pat McAfee Foundation and Wish for Our Heroes.
December 20, 2016: Second Pro Bowl Selection
Pat McAfee was named to his second Pro Bowl on December 20, 2016.
2016: McAfee's Stand-Up Comedy Performances and Radio Appearances
Throughout 2016, Pat McAfee actively engaged in stand-up comedy performances across Indiana. He also became a familiar voice on the nationally syndicated morning radio show, "The Bob & Tom Show," based in Indianapolis. McAfee developed a close friendship with co-host Bob Kevoian.
2016: Retirement From the NFL and Foray into Comedy
In 2016, Pat McAfee retired from his professional football career in the NFL. Following his retirement, he ventured into stand-up comedy, performing routines about his experiences in the NFL.
February 2, 2017: Retirement and Joining Barstool Sports
Pat McAfee retired from the NFL on February 2, 2017, and announced his intention to join Barstool Sports.
February 2017: Retirement from the NFL
Pat McAfee retired from the NFL in February 2017 after eight seasons.
June 2017: McAfee's Brief Foray into Pro Wrestling Training
In June 2017, Pat McAfee briefly delved into the world of professional wrestling, undergoing training with Rip Rogers. This training was documented and filmed for Barstool Sports, offering a glimpse into McAfee's interest in wrestling.
March 2018: McAfee Intervenes in NXT Match
In March 2018, Pat McAfee made an appearance at an NXT show in Indianapolis. During a match between Adam Cole and Aleister Black, McAfee interfered, preventing Cole from winning by disqualification. This distraction allowed Black to recover and secure victory.
August 31, 2018: McAfee Leaves Barstool Sports
On August 31, 2018, Pat McAfee announced his departure from Barstool Sports, citing a lack of transparency within the company's business operations as the reason for his exit.
September 23, 2018: McAfee's Record Surpassed
McAfee's blindfolded field goal record was broken on September 23, 2018, by Davis Brief, who kicked a 45-yard field goal while blindfolded.
November 24, 2018: McAfee's College Football Broadcasting Debut
Pat McAfee added another feather to his cap on November 24, 2018, when he made his debut as a college football broadcaster for Fox. He was part of the broadcast team for the game between Baylor and Texas Tech.
2018: Guest Host and Commentator
In 2018, Pat McAfee worked as a guest host for Fox Sports and as a guest commentator for WWE's NXT TakeOver events.
2018: McAfee's Baseball Debut
In an unexpected turn of events, Pat McAfee stepped onto the baseball field in 2018, making his professional debut for the Washington Wild Things. He played as a right fielder and even took on the role of guest first base coach. During his appearance, he recorded a putout in the outfield and reached second base on a throwing error.
2018: Launch of Pat McAfee Inc.
Pat McAfee established his own company, Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI), in 2018. The company was headquartered in his Indianapolis office. PMI oversaw his charitable organization, The Pat McAfee Foundation, and ventured into merchandise sales. They also launched four podcasts: "The Pat McAfee Show 2.0," "That's Hockey Talk," "Heartland Radio 2.0," and "Good Bettor Bets.
2018: Guest Commentary for WWE
Pat McAfee served as a guest commentator for WWE's NXT TakeOver events in 2018.
2018: McAfee's Early WWE Appearances
In 2018, Pat McAfee began making appearances on WWE programming as a pre-show analyst for NXT TakeOver events, marking his initial foray into the world of professional wrestling.
February 2019: McAfee Signs with WWE
In February 2019, Pat McAfee made his professional wrestling debut with WWE as a pre-show analyst, a role he had held on a less formal basis since 2018.
February 2019: McAfee Gets Engaged
Pat McAfee proposed to his girlfriend, Samantha Ludy, in February 2019.
February 2019: Signs with WWE
Pat McAfee signed a contract with WWE in February 2019.
July 2019: Joins ESPN
In July 2019, Pat McAfee joined ESPN as part of their Thursday Night College Football team.
July 29, 2019: McAfee Joins ESPN as College Football Analyst
July 29, 2019, saw Adam Schefter break the news on Twitter that Pat McAfee would be joining ESPN. McAfee took on the role of color analyst for ESPN's Thursday Night College Football broadcasts alongside Matt Hasselbeck. This came after McAfee's audition for ESPN's Monday Night Football.
August 7, 2019: McAfee's Radio Show Announcement
On August 7, 2019, news broke that McAfee would be hosting a two-hour weekday radio show titled "The Pat McAfee Show." The show, syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One, was set to premiere on September 9, 2019. McAfee also secured a deal with DAZN to stream his podcast on their platform three times a week and make appearances in NFL-related content.
September 9, 2019: Debut of "The Pat McAfee Show"
Pat McAfee's radio show, "The Pat McAfee Show," premiered on September 9, 2019. The show was syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One.
2019: Brief Return to Football
Pat McAfee worked out with the Chicago Bears as a placekicker in 2019, but a knee issue prevented him from continuing.
2019: Initial Launch of "Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment"
In 2019, PMI experimented with a wrestling podcast titled "Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment." However, the podcast only aired a single episode during this time.
August 1, 2020: McAfee Marries Samantha Ludy
Pat McAfee married his girlfriend, Samantha Ludy, on August 1, 2020, at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana.
August 2020: McAfee Parts Ways with DAZN
In August 2020, Pat McAfee ended his partnership with DAZN. This decision was driven by McAfee's dissatisfaction with FCC regulations imposed on terrestrial radio.
September 2020: "The Pat McAfee Show" Moves to Sirius XM
September 2020 marked a new chapter for "The Pat McAfee Show" as it found a new home on Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports Radio. The show aired on weekdays from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and was also broadcasted live on YouTube. A.J. Hawk joined the show as co-host for the second and third hours.
2020: Fan Campaign for Steelers Return
In 2020, fans campaigned for Pat McAfee to return to the NFL to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2020: McAfee Donates to Barstool Fund
McAfee donated $200,000 to the Barstool Fund in 2020, demonstrating his commitment to aiding small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: McAfee as XFL Sideline Reporter
Pat McAfee briefly ventured into the world of the XFL in 2020, taking on the role of a sideline reporter for a selection of their games. This added to his diverse portfolio of sports broadcasting experiences.
2020: WWE NXT In-Ring Debut
In 2020, Pat McAfee made his WWE NXT in-ring debut at TakeOver XXX, losing to Adam Cole.
March 2021: Return of "The Best Wrestling Show"
PMI resurrected the wrestling podcast "The Best Wrestling Show" in March 2021. Previously known as "Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment," the podcast had only aired one episode back in 2019. Mike Mansury and Mark Madden took on hosting duties.
April 16, 2021: McAfee Joins SmackDown
On April 16, 2021, McAfee transitioned into a prominent role as a color commentator on WWE's SmackDown brand, working alongside veteran commentator Michael Cole.
September 16, 2021: Mike Tomlin Expresses Interest
On September 16, 2021, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed admiration for Pat McAfee and joked about signing him in the future.
December 9, 2021: FanDuel's Sponsorship Deal with "The Pat McAfee Show"
A significant milestone was reached on December 9, 2021, when McAfee secured a substantial four-year sponsorship agreement with FanDuel, valued at $120 million. This partnership positioned FanDuel as the official sponsor and odds provider for "The Pat McAfee Show."
2021: McAfee's Philanthropic Efforts
In 2021, McAfee made a significant impact through his philanthropy, donating over $6 million to various causes, including supporting his former high school's sports teams, a children's hospital, and a football program for underprivileged youth.
2021: PMI's Relocation Plans
In 2021, McAfee announced PMI's intention to relocate its headquarters to a former United Methodist Church situated in Lawrence, Indiana. This move signaled the company's expansion and growth.
2021: Evolution of PMI Podcasts
By 2021, PMI's podcast lineup had evolved. "The Pat McAfee Show 2.0" continued to feature clips from McAfee's daily Sirius XM show, while "That's Hockey Talk" saw a change in co-host with Mike Rupp replacing A.Q. Shipley. "Heartland Radio 2.0" was rebranded as "The Pod" after Todd McComas' departure, and the gambling-focused "Good Bettor Bets" transformed into "Hammer Dahn" with the addition of Michael Lombardi as a guest co-host.
March 3, 2022: McAfee's WrestleMania Challenge
On March 3, 2022, during an episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," McAfee was unexpectedly challenged to a match at WrestleMania by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.
August 2022: Sirius XM Stops Airing "The Pat McAfee Show"
In August 2022, Sirius XM made the decision to cease broadcasting "The Pat McAfee Show." This marked the end of the show's run on the platform.
September 2022: McAfee Returns to ESPN
In September 2022, Pat McAfee made a return to ESPN, this time as a full-time analyst for College Gameday. His responsibilities also included serving as an analyst for ESPN's coverage of major football events like the Rose Bowl, the College Football Playoff, the Super Bowl, and the Pro Bowl.
September 2022: Pro Football Hall of Fame Nomination
In September 2022, Pat McAfee was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2022: McAfee and Corbin's Friendship and SummerSlam Match
Pat McAfee and fellow wrestler Baron Corbin, former teammates during their time in Indianapolis, faced each other in a match at SummerSlam in 2022, showcasing their long-standing friendship and shared passion for wrestling.
January 28, 2023: McAfee's Surprise Royal Rumble Return
McAfee made a surprise return to WWE at the Royal Rumble on January 28, 2023, providing commentary for the men's Royal Rumble match.
May 4, 2023: McAfee Welcomes Daughter
Pat McAfee and his wife, Samantha Ludy, welcomed their first child, a daughter, on May 4, 2023.
May 2023: McAfee's Multi-Year Deal with ESPN
In May 2023, ESPN announced a multi-year deal with Pat McAfee, bringing "The Pat McAfee Show" to its platforms. This strategic move provided McAfee with enhanced access to ESPN's vast resources, including production assets, league rights, and a wide array of sports content.
August 17, 2023: "The Pat McAfee Show" Announces ESPN Debut Date
August 17, 2023, marked an important announcement: "The Pat McAfee Show" was set to premiere on ESPN platforms, including ESPN, ESPN+, and YouTube, on September 7, 2023. This coincided with the start of the 2023 NFL season.
September 7, 2023: "The Pat McAfee Show" Premieres on ESPN
September 7, 2023, marked the debut of "The Pat McAfee Show" on ESPN's platforms, including ESPN, ESPN+, and YouTube. This move brought McAfee's show to a wider audience through ESPN's extensive reach.
January 27, 2024: McAfee Returns to WWE
McAfee made a surprise return to WWE at the Royal Rumble on January 27, 2024, as a guest commentator and surprise entrant.