History of Pat McAfee in Timeline
Pat McAfee is an American sports analyst, color commentator, and former NFL punter and kickoff specialist. He currently works as an analyst on College GameDay and hosts The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, a popular sports talk show known for its unfiltered opinions and humor. McAfee also has experience as a color commentator and occasional wrestler for WWE, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry. He's known for his energetic personality and engaging content, which has garnered him a large and dedicated following.
May 2, 1987: Pat McAfee's Birth
On May 2, 1987, Patrick Justin McAfee was born. He is an American sports analyst, color commentator, former professional football punter and kickoff specialist, and WWE performer on the SmackDown brand.
2007: Lou Groza Award Semi-Finalist and Big East Honors
In 2007, Pat McAfee was named to the Lou Groza Award semi-finalist list. He also earned Big East Special Team Player of the week honors three times in 2007 and was named second-team All-Big East. He earned West Virginia's Scott Shirley Award for the second consecutive year.
March 22, 2009: Match against The WarPig
On March 22, 2009, Pat McAfee faced The WarPig at an IWA East Coast show in South Charleston, West Virginia. McAfee won the match by hitting WarPig with a low blow and a superkick.
2009: Senior Bowl and All-Star Challenge Participation
In 2009, Pat McAfee was invited to the Senior Bowl in Alabama and started as the South team's kicker. He also 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. During his rookie year in 2009, McAfee played in Super Bowl XLIV, where the Colts lost against the New Orleans Saints.
2009: NFL Draft and Super Bowl XLIV Appearance
In 2009, Pat McAfee was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He handled punting and kick-off duties, and played in Super Bowl XLIV. As a result of a successful 2009 season, he was named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team.
October 20, 2010: Arrested for public intoxication
On October 20, 2010, Pat McAfee was arrested and charged with public intoxication in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis. He was found shirtless and wet, with a reported blood alcohol content of 0.15. The Colts suspended him for one game as a result of the incident.
2011: Punting Average
In the 2011 season, Pat McAfee maintained a 46.6-yard punting average.
2013: Notable Tackle on Trindon Holliday
During Week 7 of the 2013 season, Pat McAfee made a notable tackle on Trindon Holliday, leading to praise from TV commentator Cris Collinsworth.
January 4, 2014: Tweeted Photo and Contract Extension
On January 4, 2014, Pat McAfee tweeted a photo from the Colts locker room with teammate Andrew Luck almost completely nude in the background, apologized for the incident and was fined $10,000. McAfee announced he had signed a five-year contract to remain with the Colts.
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: Pro Bowl Selection
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 eight-year career in the National Football League (NFL).
January 2, 2015: First Team All-Pro Selection
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 emergency quarterback after all three of the team's quarterbacks were injured. He held the role of emergency quarterback at the Colts throughout his tenure with the team.
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 in 2016, Pat McAfee began to perform stand-up comic routines about his time in the NFL.
2016: Stand-up Events and The Bob & Tom Show
In 2016, Pat McAfee performed in stand-up events around Indiana. Also in 2016, McAfee was a regular on the nationally syndicated morning radio program The Bob & Tom Show.
February 2, 2017: Retirement from NFL
On February 2, 2017, Pat McAfee retired from the NFL after eight seasons. He cited his knee operation and relationship with Ryan Grigson as factors in his decision.
February 2017: Retirement from Football
In February 2017, Pat McAfee retired from football and became a football analyst.
June 2017: Brief 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 NXT show
In March 2018, Pat McAfee was present at an NXT show in Indianapolis, where he prevented Adam Cole from winning 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 with the business operations of the company.
September 23, 2018: Guinness World Record Surpassed
On September 23, 2018 Davis Brief, a fan of Pat McAfee, kicked a 45-yard field goal while blindfolded, surpassing McAfee's previous Guinness World Record.
November 24, 2018: College Football Broadcasting Debut on Fox
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 Pre-Show Analyst
In 2018, Pat McAfee began appearing on WWE programming as a pre-show analyst for the company's NXT TakeOver events, including NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, NXT TakeOver: Chicago II, NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 and NXT TakeOver: WarGames.
2018: 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 events
In 2018, Pat McAfee served as a guest commentator for WWE's NXT TakeOver events.
2018: Incorporation of Pat McAfee Inc.
In 2018, after departing from Barstool Sports, Pat McAfee incorporated Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI).
2018: Guest Host for Fox Sports
In late 2018, Pat McAfee was a guest host for Fox Sports' college and NFL broadcasts.
February 2019: Engagement to Samantha Ludy
In February 2019, Pat McAfee became engaged to Samantha Ludy.
February 2019: Signed multi-year contract with WWE
In February 2019, Pat McAfee officially signed a multi-year contract with WWE.
February 2019: Signing with WWE
In February 2019, Pat McAfee signed a contract with WWE.
July 2019: Joins ESPN
In July 2019, Pat McAfee was announced as part of ESPN's Thursday Night College Football team.
July 29, 2019: Joins ESPN as College Football 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 Radio Show Syndication
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, starting September 9, 2019.
September 9, 2019: The Pat McAfee Show Syndication
Starting on September 9, 2019, Pat McAfee began hosting The Pat McAfee Show, a two-hour, weekday radio show, syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One.
2019: Workout with 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.
2019: Original Airing of Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment
In 2019, the wrestling podcast Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment aired one episode.
August 1, 2020: Marriage to Samantha Ludy
On August 1, 2020, Pat McAfee married Samantha Ludy at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana.
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: Feud with Adam Cole and In-Ring Debut
During 2020, Pat McAfee feuded with Adam Cole, making his WWE NXT in-ring debut at TakeOver XXX in a loss to Cole.
2020: Speculation of Joining Pittsburgh Steelers
During the 2020 NFL season, there was speculation about Pat McAfee coming 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: Sideline reporter for the XFL
In 2020, Pat McAfee worked as a sideline reporter for some XFL games.
March 2021: Revival and Subsequent End 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, but the podcast was short-lived.
April 16, 2021: Move to 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, on The Pat McAfee Show, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke of his admiration for Pat McAfee.
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, Pat McAfee announced plans to move Pat McAfee Inc.'s (PMI) base of operations to a former United Methodist Church in Lawrence, Indiana.
2021: Charitable Donations
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.
2021: Turned face in WWE
In 2021, Pat McAfee turned face after moving to the SmackDown brand.
2021: Changes to PMI Podcasts
In 2021, there were changes to Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI) podcasts, including A.Q. Shipley being replaced by Mike Rupp on That's Hockey Talk and Heartland Radio 2.0 evolving into The Pod.
March 3, 2022: Interview with Vince McMahon and WrestleMania Match
On March 3, 2022, on The Pat McAfee Show, Pat McAfee interviewed Vince McMahon, 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.
September 2022: Nomination for Pro Football Hall of Fame
In September 2022, Pat McAfee was named as one of the additional modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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. He will also serve as an analyst for ESPN's coverage of various events and participate in Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions college football alternate telecasts on ESPN2.
2022: Match at SummerSlam
In 2022, Pat McAfee and Baron Corbin, friends and former teammates, worked a match together at SummerSlam.
January 28, 2023: Surprise Return at Royal Rumble
On January 28, 2023, Pat McAfee made a surprise return for commentary right before the men's Royal Rumble match began.
May 4, 2023: Birth of first child
On May 4, 2023, Pat McAfee and his wife Samantha welcomed their first child, a daughter.
May 2023: The Pat McAfee Show moving 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.
August 17, 2023: Debut of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN
On August 17, 2023, it was announced that The Pat McAfee Show would be making its debut on ESPN, ESPN+ and YouTube on September 7, 2023.
September 7, 2023: Debut of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, ESPN+ and YouTube
On September 7, 2023, The Pat McAfee Show made its debut on ESPN, ESPN+ and YouTube.
2023: Defamation Allegations from Brett Favre
In 2023, Pat McAfee faced defamation allegations from Brett Favre for claiming that Favre stole money from "poor people in Mississippi."
January 27, 2024: Surprise return and participation at Royal Rumble
On January 27, 2024, Pat McAfee returned at Royal Rumble as a surprise guest commentator and surprise entrant at #22 in the men's Royal Rumble match. He quickly exited the ring and eliminated himself.
December 14, 2024: Commentary on Saturday Night's Main Event
On December 14, 2024, Pat McAfee returned to the WWE to call Saturday Night's Main Event with Michael Cole and Jesse Ventura.
2024: The Soccer Tournament participation
In 2024, Pat McAfee took part in The Soccer Tournament as a player.
January 6, 2025: Return on Raw on Netflix
On January 6, 2025, Pat McAfee returned on the premiere of Raw on Netflix, partnering with Michael Cole to become a full time commentator for the brand.
April 1, 2025: Amplification of False Rumor
On April 1, 2025, it was reported that Pat McAfee's amplification of a false rumor about a student at the University of Mississippi had sparked harassment and bullying.
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 after being choked out with a sleeper hold.
June 2025: Commentating Hiatus
In June 2025, Pat McAfee announced that he would be taking another hiatus from commentating due to mental exhaustion.
November 30, 2025: Announcement of Second Child
On November 30, 2025, Pat McAfee and his wife Samantha announced that they were expecting their second child together.
2025: The Soccer Tournament as 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. He gave $3.7 million to students through the season.
April 3, 2026: WWE return and heel turn
On the April 3, 2026 episode of SmackDown, Pat McAfee returned to WWE, aligning himself with Randy Orton and being revealed to be Orton's mystery phone caller, turning heel for the first time since 2021.
2026: Return on Smackdown and Alignment with Randy Orton
In 2026, Pat McAfee returned on Smackdown and aligned with Randy Orton.
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