History of Pat McAfee in Timeline
Pat McAfee is an American sports analyst, color commentator, and former NFL punter. He gained prominence as a punter for the Indianapolis Colts before transitioning to a successful media career. McAfee hosts The Pat McAfee Show, known for its unfiltered sports commentary and humor. He is also an analyst on ESPN's College GameDay and provides color commentary for WWE Raw, demonstrating his versatility in sports entertainment. His energetic personality and insightful analysis have made him a popular figure in both traditional sports media and the world of professional wrestling.
May 2, 1987: Pat McAfee Born
On May 2, 1987, Patrick Justin McAfee was born. He is an American sports analyst, color commentator, and former professional football punter and kickoff specialist.
2007: Lou Groza Award Semi-Finalist
In 2007, Pat McAfee was named to the Lou Groza Award semi-finalist list and earned Big East Special Team Player of the week honors three times. He also earned West Virginia's Scott Shirley Award for the second consecutive year.
March 22, 2009: IWA East Coast Wrestling Match Victory
On March 22, 2009, McAfee wrestled in a match against The WarPig at an IWA East Coast show in South Charleston, West Virginia. Despite WarPig's dominance, McAfee secured a victory with a low blow and a superkick.
2009: Signed by Indianapolis Colts
In 2009, Pat McAfee was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and signed before training camp, handling punting and kick-off duties. The Colts won the AFC South and the AFC Championship that year. He played in Super Bowl XLIV, which they lost. He was also named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team.
2009: Invited to Senior Bowl
In 2009, Pat McAfee was invited to the Senior Bowl in Alabama, joining Mountaineers Pat White and Ellis Lankster.
October 20, 2010: Arrested for Public Intoxication
On October 20, 2010, McAfee was arrested and charged with public intoxication. He was found shirtless and wet, allegedly after swimming in a canal in Indianapolis. He issued an apology two weeks later.
November 2011: Hair Donation to Locks of Love
In November 2011, McAfee cut his hair for Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces for children suffering from long-term illness.
2011: Punting Average of 46.6 Yards
In 2011, Pat McAfee maintained a 46.6-yard punting average for the season.
January 4, 2014: Tweeted Locker Room Photo, Fined
On January 4, 2014, Pat McAfee tweeted a photo from the Colts locker room and was subsequently fined $10,000 by the Colts organization. He also announced he signed a five-year contract with the Colts on March 7th.
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: Selected to First Pro Bowl
On December 23, 2014, Pat McAfee was selected to play in his first Pro Bowl.
2014: All-Pro Selection
In 2014, Pat McAfee was selected as an All-Pro during his NFL career.
January 2, 2015: Selected 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 almost played as emergency quarterback.
February 5, 2016: Guinness World Record Holder
On February 5, 2016, McAfee became a Guinness World Record holder by successfully kicking a 40-yard field goal while blindfolded.
May 2016: Created Shirts for America Company
In May 2016, McAfee created Shirts for America to sponsor IndyCar driver Conor Daly and support the Pat McAfee Foundation and Wish for Our Heroes.
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 Performances and Radio Appearances
In 2016, McAfee performed in stand-up events around Indiana. He also became a regular on The Bob & Tom Show, based in Indianapolis.
February 2, 2017: Retires from NFL, Joins Barstool Sports
On February 2, 2017, Pat McAfee retired from the NFL and intended to join Barstool Sports as a contributor.
February 2017: Retirement from NFL
In February 2017, Pat McAfee retired from the NFL and transitioned into a football analyst role.
June 2017: Professional Wrestling Training with Rip Rogers
In June 2017, McAfee briefly trained as a professional wrestler with Rip Rogers, which was filmed for Barstool Sports.
March 2018: NXT Appearance in Indianapolis
In March 2018, McAfee appeared at an NXT show in Indianapolis. 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, Pat McAfee announced his separation from Barstool Sports due to a lack of transparency.
September 23, 2018: Guinness World Record Surpassed
On September 23, 2018, Davis Brief surpassed McAfee's Guinness World Record by successfully kicking a 45-yard field goal while blindfolded.
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, McAfee began appearing on WWE programming as a pre-show analyst for the company's NXT TakeOver events, beginning with NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, and continuing his feud with Adam Cole.
2018: Professional Baseball Debut
In 2018, McAfee made his professional baseball debut for the Washington Wild Things as a right-fielder and guest first base coach. He recorded a putout and reached second base on a throwing error.
2018: Guest Commentator for WWE NXT
In 2018, Pat McAfee served as a guest commentator for WWE's NXT TakeOver events.
2018: Incorporates Pat McAfee Inc.
In 2018, upon 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, McAfee became engaged to his girlfriend, Samantha Ludy.
February 2019: Signed Multi-Year Contract with WWE
In February 2019, McAfee formally signed a multi-year contract with WWE.
February 2019: Signs with WWE
In February 2019, Pat McAfee signed a contract with WWE.
July 2019: Joins ESPN's Thursday Night College Football
In July 2019, Pat McAfee joined ESPN's Thursday Night College Football team as an analyst.
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: Announced Radio Show
On August 7, 2019, it was reported that Pat McAfee would begin to host a two-hour, weekday radio show, The Pat McAfee Show, beginning September 9, 2019.
September 9, 2019: The Pat McAfee Show Syndication
On September 9, 2019, Pat McAfee began hosting "The Pat McAfee 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: The Best Wrestling Show Aired
In 2019, The Best Wrestling Show, formerly known as Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment, a wrestling podcast that had aired one episode.
August 1, 2020: Marriage to Samantha Ludy
On August 1, 2020, McAfee married Samantha Ludy at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana. Bob Kevoian from the Bob & Tom Show officiated the wedding.
August 2020: Parted 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.
2020: Rumors of Steelers Return
During the 2020 NFL season, fans speculated about Pat McAfee coming out of retirement to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2020: Donation to the Barstool Fund
In 2020, McAfee donated $200,000 to the Barstool Fund, a charity started by Dave Portnoy to aid small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Sideline Reporter for the XFL
In 2020, McAfee worked as a sideline reporter for some XFL games.
2020: Feud with Adam Cole
In 2020, Pat McAfee feuded with Adam Cole, making his WWE NXT in-ring debut at TakeOver XXX, where he lost to Cole.
March 2021: PMI Brought Back The Best Wrestling Show
In March 2021, PMI brought back The Best Wrestling Show, formerly known as Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment.
April 16, 2021: Moved to WWE SmackDown Brand
On April 16, 2021, WWE announced that 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 that he would wait until McAfee had physically deteriorated before signing him.
December 9, 2021: Sponsorship Agreement with FanDuel
On December 9, 2021, Pat McAfee announced a sponsorship agreement with FanDuel to serve as the sponsor and official odds provider of The Pat McAfee Show.
2021: Donated $6 Million to Various Causes
In 2021, McAfee donated over $6 million to causes including sports teams at his high school, the children's hospital at West Virginia University, and a football program for underprivileged youth run by Robert Mathis.
2021: PMI Plans to Move
In 2021, Pat McAfee announced plans to move PMI's base of operations to a former United Methodist Church in Lawrence, Indiana.
2021: That's Hockey Talk Host Changes
In 2021, on "That's Hockey Talk", A. Q. Shipley was replaced by former NHL player Mike Rupp.
March 3, 2022: Interview with Vince McMahon and WrestleMania Match
On March 3, 2022, on The Pat McAfee Show, McAfee interviewed Vince McMahon, in which McMahon offered McAfee a match at WrestleMania.
August 2022: Sirius XM Stops Airing the Show
In August 2022, Sirius XM stopped airing The Pat McAfee Show.
September 2022: Return to ESPN
In September 2022, Pat McAfee returned to ESPN as a full-time analyst on College Gameday.
September 2022: Hall of Fame Nomination
In September 2022, Pat McAfee was named as one of the additional modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2022: Match at SummerSlam
In 2022, Pat McAfee worked a match with fellow wrestler and former football player Thomas Pestock, best known by his ring name Baron Corbin, at SummerSlam.
January 28, 2023: Surprise Return for Commentary at Royal Rumble
On January 28, 2023, at Royal Rumble, McAfee made a surprise return for commentary right before the men's Royal Rumble match began.
May 4, 2023: Welcomed First Child
On May 4, 2023, Pat McAfee and his wife, Samantha, welcomed their first child, a daughter.
May 2023: ESPN Announces The Pat McAfee Show 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. McAfee cited improved access to production assets and league rights as key benefits.
August 17, 2023: The Pat McAfee Show Debut on ESPN Platforms Announced
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 Platforms
On September 7, 2023, The Pat McAfee Show debuted on ESPN, ESPN+ and YouTube, coinciding with the 2023 NFL season opener.
January 27, 2024: Return at Royal Rumble as Commentator and Entrant
On January 27, 2024, McAfee returned at Royal Rumble as a surprise guest commentator and entrant at #22 in the men's Royal Rumble match before quickly eliminating himself.
December 14, 2024: Returns to WWE Commentary
On December 14, 2024, Pat McAfee returned to WWE to call Saturday Night's Main Event with Michael Cole and Jesse Ventura.
January 6, 2025: Full Time Commentator for RAW
On January 6, 2025, McAfee returned on the premiere of Raw on Netflix, once again partnering with Michael Cole, and has since become a full time commentator for the brand.
2025: Commentary on Raw on Netflix
In 2025, Pat McAfee partnered with Michael Cole for commentary on Raw on Netflix.
