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Pat McAfee
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Pat McAfee
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Patrick Justin McAfee (/ˈmækəfi/ MAK-ə-fee; born May 2, 1987) is an American sports analyst, color commentator, and former professional football punter and kickoff specialist. He is an analyst on College GameDay and the host of the sports talk show The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN. He is also signed to professional wrestling promotion WWE when he last appeared as the color commentator for Raw while also being an occasional wrestler before going on hiatus.

Key Information

McAfee was a placekicker for the West Virginia Mountaineers. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft. He played in Super Bowl XLIV in his rookie year, where the Colts lost against the New Orleans Saints. McAfee made two Pro Bowls, and he was an All-Pro in 2014, during his eight-year career in the National Football League (NFL).

Since retiring from football in February 2017, McAfee has been a football analyst. He was a guest host for Fox Sports' college and NFL broadcasts in late 2018, before being announced as part of ESPN's Thursday Night College Football team in July 2019. In addition, he makes regular appearances for Get Up!. He currently licenses The Pat McAfee Show to the ESPN network, which then simulcasts the show on ESPN+ and is also broadcast on YouTube.

McAfee served as a guest commentator for WWE's NXT TakeOver events in 2018,[2] before signing a contract with the promotion in February 2019.[3][4] During 2020, he feuded with Adam Cole, making his WWE NXT in-ring debut at TakeOver XXX in a loss to Cole. He served as a color commentator for major pay-per-views and SmackDown on numerous occasions and stints throughout the 2020s, only to take hiatuses to focus on his work at College GameDay from late summer to mid-late winter the next year. McAfee returned to the WWE on December 14, 2024, to call Saturday Night's Main Event with Michael Cole and Jesse Ventura in the Main Event and partnered with Cole again for commentary on Raw on Netflix in 2025.

Early life

[edit]

McAfee was born to Tim and Sally McAfee on May 2, 1987, in Plum, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Plum High School where he played varsity soccer, volleyball and football. He received collegiate interest for each sport. He was a national Punt, Pass, and Kick champion by the time he was a sophomore in high school. During his senior year in high school, using $1,400 that he won at an illegal poker game, he traveled to Miami to participate in a national field goal competition. McAfee made nine consecutive field goals, starting at 25 yards and moving five yards out each time. He narrowly missed a 70-yard field goal, with the ball missing to the right, but with enough distance in order to make it. He was then approached by Tony Gibson, West Virginia's recruiting coordinator, who offered him a scholarship.[5]

College career

[edit]

Freshman season (2005)

[edit]

McAfee earned the starting job at West Virginia as a freshman where he majored in communications. He was 11-for-18 as a freshman on field goals, and had 70 kickoffs for the season, with 20 touchbacks. McAfee's most memorable moment came against Louisville in a 46–44 triple-overtime win, which was reached after a successful McAfee onside kick. The onside kick gave running back Steve Slaton the chance to tie the game with a one-yard touchdown run.[6]

Sophomore season (2006)

[edit]

Although they had losses to Louisville and USF, the Mountaineers won 10 games and were victors in the Gator Bowl over Georgia Tech.[7]

Junior season (2007)

[edit]
McAfee with the West Virginia Mountaineers in 2007

McAfee started his junior season with a missed extra point against Western Michigan, ending his streak of 106 consecutive extra points. He finished the season in the Fiesta Bowl with a 2-for-4 performance, having one kick blocked by Oklahoma. He was named to the ESPN All-Bowl Team following the bowl season.[8]

McAfee missed two relatively short field goals in WVU's 13–9 loss to a Pitt Panthers team with only four wins; ultimately taking the Mountaineers out of the BCS National Championship Game. He was named to the 2007 Lou Groza Award semi-finalist list for the best collegiate kicker. McAfee 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.

Senior season (2008)

[edit]
McAfee warming up at halftime

McAfee began his senior year in a 48–21 season-opening victory over Villanova in which he kicked two field goals, including a career long of 52 yards, six extra points, and two punts. In the following 27–3 win over Marshall, McAfee became the school record holder for all-time scoring with a field goal, passing Slaton. He went two for two on field goals to move to third place for the Big East record of career field goals made in a 34–17 victory over Auburn.

Against Cincinnati on November 8, the Mountaineers trailed by 13 points with 1:11 left in regulation, but reduced the deficit to 3 points with a safety, touchdown, and two-point conversion, all in less than a minute. McAfee's onside kick was recovered with 18 seconds remaining. He then tied the game as time expired with a 52-yard field goal, but the Mountaineers would lose in overtime.

McAfee finished his senior year with a career-best 44.7 yards per punt average, a Big East-leading 23 punts inside the 20-yard line, and a career-high 2,639 yards with a 65-yard long. He was named a finalist for the Ray Guy Award losing out to Matt Fodge.[9]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash Wonderlic
5 ft 11+1⁄2 in
(1.82 m) 		228 lb
(103 kg) 		5.00 s 37[10]
All values from NFL Draft[11][12]

McAfee was invited to the 2009 Senior Bowl in Alabama, joining Mountaineers Pat White and Ellis Lankster. He started the Senior Bowl as the South team's kicker. McAfee performed in the 11th annual State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge, winning the "round the world" kicking competition. He was not invited to the NFL Combine. He had team workouts as a kicker with the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots.[13]

McAfee with the Indianapolis Colts in 2014

McAfee was selected in the seventh round with the 222nd overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts.[14] McAfee was signed before training camp. He handled punting and kick-off duties for the Colts in 2009, as well as holding for extra points and field goals, a position he had never played before. In 2009, McAfee was part of the Indianapolis team that won the AFC South, the AFC Championship, and reached Super Bowl XLIV.[15] McAfee kicked off the game and handled kickoff and punt duties in the 31–17 loss to the New Orleans Saints.[16] As a result of a successful 2009 season, he was named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team.[17]

McAfee maintained a 46.6-yard punting average for the 2011 season, a mark he would better the following season by posting a 48.2-yard average on punts.[18]

On January 4, 2014, McAfee tweeted a photo from the Colts locker room with teammate Andrew Luck almost completely nude in the background.[19] McAfee, who was taking a picture of kicker Adam Vinatieri being interviewed in the locker room, apologized for the incident and was fined $10,000 by the Colts organization, according to his interview with The Bob & Tom Show.[20] On March 7, McAfee announced he had signed a five-year contract to remain with the Colts.[21]

McAfee was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September 2014. He led the NFL in punting average (45.6 yards) and touchbacks on kickoff (24), and converted the NFL's only two successful onside kicks in the first four weeks of the season.[22] In Week 6, against the Houston Texans, McAfee converted his third onside kick of the season, recovering the ball himself after it traveled the necessary 10 yards.[23] On December 23, 2014, McAfee was selected to play in his first Pro Bowl,[24] and on January 2, 2015, he was selected by the Associated Press as the First Team All-Pro punter.[25]

In Week 3 of the 2015 season, McAfee earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week against the Tennessee Titans.[26] During this season he nearly entered a game as emergency quarterback after all three of the team's three listed quarterbacks on the team came down with injuries; however, he never officially took the field.[27] McAfee held the role of emergency quarterback at the Colts throughout his tenure with the team, and was one of only four punters in the NFL to hold the role near the end of his career. He was also called on to throw the football during special plays involving a fake punt.[28] On December 20, 2016, McAfee was named to his second Pro Bowl.[29]

McAfee during a kickoff against the Cleveland Browns in 2014

On February 2, 2017, after eight seasons, McAfee retired from the NFL and stated he intended to join Barstool Sports as a contributor. He cited his recent knee operation (his third in four seasons) as a factor in his decision, as well as his fractured relationship with Colts' general manager Ryan Grigson.[30][31] During the off-season in 2019, McAfee worked out with the Chicago Bears as a placekicker, but his knee swelled up soon afterwards, and the position was eventually taken by Eddy Piñeiro.[32]

During the 2020 NFL season, despite being out of the NFL for four years, fans began making a push for McAfee to come out of retirement to play for his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers, who struggled with their punting during the season. McAfee himself added to the rumors by immediately tweeting a video of him punting after the Steelers released Dustin Colquitt without immediately signing a replacement.[33] The team ended up re-signing Jordan Berry, who had been the team's punter for five years prior to the signing of Colquitt. On the September 16, 2021 episode of The Pat McAfee Show, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke of his admiration for him, joking that he would wait until McAfee "had physically deteriorated a little bit", until he could sign him.[34] However, McAfee could have potentially played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as both a placekicker and punter, after the Buccaneers put their special teams unit on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of their game against the Atlanta Falcons. Ultimately, McAfee was unable to bypass certain protocols because he had tested positive for COVID-19, while Ryan Succop and Bradley Pinion ended up being cleared to play that weekend's game.[35]

In September 2022, having met the requirement for election, McAfee was named as one of the additional modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[36] After being told of the news on his show, he was flattered by the nomination, but stated that there were other punters more deserving of inclusion, such as Shane Lechler.[37]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Punting
GP Punts Yds Net Yds Lng Avg Net Avg Blk OOB Dn Ins20 TB FC Ret RetY TD
2009 IND 16 64 2,837 2,416 60 44.3 37.8 0 0 7 21 6 15 36 301 0
2010 IND 15 65 2,731 2,302 66 42.0 35.4 0 3 8 21 7 22 25 289 1
2011 IND 16 88 4,098 3,488 64 46.6 39.2 1 8 11 21 3 18 48 550 1
2012 IND 16 73 3,520 2,985 64 48.2 40.3 1 10 9 26 8 14 32 375 1
2013 IND 16 76 3,499 2,963 65 46.0 38.6 1 8 15 27 7 17 29 396 1
2014 IND 16 69 3,221 2,956 61 46.7 42.8 0 7 5 30 3 19 35 205 0
2015 IND 16 85 4,052 3,546 63 47.7 41.7 0 7 13 28 6 23 36 386 3
2016 IND 16 55 2,711 2,392 74 49.3 42.7 1 7 5 19 9 17 17 139 0
Career 127 575 26,669 23,048 74 46.4 40.1 4 50 73 193 49 145 258 2,641 7

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team Punting
GP Punts Yds Net Yds Lng Avg Net Avg Blk OOB Dn Ins20 TB FC Ret RetY TD
2009 IND 3 12 550 514 56 45.8 42.8 0 0 0 3 1 7 4 16 0
2010 IND 1 4 153 138 46 38.3 34.5 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 15 0
2012 IND 1 4 194 137 53 48.5 34.3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 57 0
2013 IND 2 6 310 268 58 51.7 44.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 42 0
2014 IND 2 8 375 296 68 46.9 37.0 0 1 1 1 3 0 3 19 0
Career 10 34 1,582 1,350 68 46.2 38.7 0 1 2 5 4 9 18 149 0

Post-playing career

[edit]
McAfee on The Pat McAfee Show in August 2022
See also: The Pat McAfee Show

Following his retirement, McAfee became a football analyst and a host of sports talk shows. After starting his own talk show, The Pat McAfee Show, he grew to become one of the most popular figures in the sports media industry, eventually earning an eight figure deal with ESPN.[38][39][40][41]

Barstool Sports

[edit]

During his final season with the Colts, McAfee began to perform stand-up comic routines about his time in the NFL.[27] Following his retirement from football at the close of the 2016 season, McAfee joined Barstool Sports, where he developed the "Heartland" division of the company in Indianapolis and hosted The Pat McAfee Show on SiriusXM channel Barstool Power 85.[42] McAfee announced his separation from Barstool Sports on August 31, 2018, citing a lack of transparency with the business operations of the company as his reason for leaving.[43]

Pat McAfee Inc.

[edit]

Upon departing from Barstool Sports in 2018, McAfee incorporated a small business, Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI), from his original office in Indianapolis. PMI continued to operate McAfee's charity, The Pat McAfee Foundation, and began selling merchandise. At first, PMI produced four podcasts, The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, That's Hockey Talk, Heartland Radio 2.0, and Good Bettor Bets. The former two are still in operation as of 2021, with The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 re-running clips from his daily show on Sirius XM, while That's Hockey Talk was originally co-hosted by former NFL center A. Q. Shipley, but Shipley was replaced by former NHL player Mike Rupp in 2021. Heartland Radio 2.0 evolved into The Pod after the departure of former host, Todd McComas, while PMI's gambling podcast, Good Bettor Bets, re-branded into Hammer Dahn with the addition of former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi as a guest co-host.

McAfee during a taping of College GameDay in 2023

On August 7, 2019, it was reported that McAfee would begin to host a two-hour, weekday radio show, The Pat McAfee Show, beginning September 9, 2019, syndicated by DAZN and Westwood One. The deal with DAZN also includes McAfee streaming his podcast on the service three times per week, and appearances in NFL-related shoulder content in regions where DAZN holds streaming rights to the league (primarily Canada and Germany).[44][45] They parted ways in August 2020 due to McAfee's disdain for FCC regulations on terrestrial radio.

In September 2020, The Pat McAfee Show moved to Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports Radio from 12 to 3 pm on weekdays. The show is also broadcast live on YouTube. Former NFL linebacker, and consistent collaborator, A. J. Hawk co-hosts the second and third hours of the show with McAfee. McAfee's former teammate Darius Butler co-hosts the show on Fridays when it is broadcast from Tampa, Florida. During the NFL season, McAfee frequently hosts Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on his program. Sirius XM stopped airing the show in August 2022.

In March 2021, PMI brought back The Best Wrestling Show, formerly known as Wrasslin' With Sports Entertainment, a wrestling podcast that had aired one episode in 2019. It is hosted by former WWE employee and PMI executive producer Mike Mansury, and Pittsburgh-based radio commentator & former World Championship Wrestling commentator Mark Madden. The podcast was short-lived, as Mansury left PMI to focus on independent work in May of the same year and the low viewership numbers caused by Madden.[46]

In 2021, McAfee announced plans to move PMI's base of operations to a former United Methodist Church in Lawrence, Indiana.[47]

On December 9, 2021, 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.[48][49]

Fox Sports

[edit]

On November 24, 2018, McAfee made his college football broadcasting debut on Fox, calling a college football game between Baylor and Texas Tech. On December 30, McAfee made his NFL broadcasting debut on Fox, joining Justin Kutcher, Robert Smith, and sideline reporter Sarah Kustok for the Lions–Packers game.[50]

ESPN

[edit]
McAfee preparing for ESPN2's live "Field Pass" with The Pat McAfee Show for the 2023 CFP title game

On July 29, 2019, Adam Schefter announced via Twitter that McAfee would be joining ESPN as the color analyst for their Thursday Night College Football broadcasts, alongside Matt Hasselbeck. The news came after McAfee had auditioned for ESPN's Monday Night Football after Jason Witten's return to the Cowboys, though ESPN decided to retain its booth as is.[51] In the same year, McAfee began making regular appearances on Get Up! and College GameDay, after appearing on the latter show as a celebrity guest picker.

In September 2022, it was announced that McAfee would be returning to ESPN. He serves as a full-time analyst on College Gameday.[52] He will serve as an analyst for ESPN's coverage of the Rose Bowl, the College Football Playoff, the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl.[52] McAfee is also a part of Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions college football alternate telecasts on ESPN2.[52] He has appeared as a guest twice on Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli.

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 stated that moving to ESPN would give him better access to "production assets, league rights capabilities, and access to everything in the sports world".[53] 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, the same day as the 2023 NFL season opener.[54] Although the exact dollar amount of his deal with ESPN was not publicly disclosed, it has been reported to be over eight figures.[41]

Controversy

[edit]

Some of McAfee's work on ESPN has been controversial and resulted in legal repercussions. Although McAfee was only reporting on existing reports, in 2023 he faced defamation allegations from Brett Favre for claiming that the former quarterback stole money from "poor people in Mississippi."[55]

On April 1, 2025, it was reported that his amplification of a false rumor about a student at the University of Mississippi had sparked harassment and bullying.[56] McAfee talked about the false rumor with guests on his show and posted a clip of the discussion on X, captioned "What's going on at Ole Miss".[57][58]

McAfee has also faced criticism for allowing Aaron Rodgers to promote Anti-vaccine conspiracy theories on his show.[59][60][61]

Other appearances

[edit]

In 2016, McAfee performed in stand-up events around Indiana.[62] McAfee was a regular on the nationally syndicated morning radio program The Bob & Tom Show, itself based in Indianapolis. He has described co-host Bob Kevoian as one of his best friends during an interview on the Off the Air Podcast hosted by sports commentator Chick McGee.[63] In 2018, McAfee made his professional baseball debut for the Washington Wild Things as a right-fielder and guest first base coach. He made a putout in the outfield and went 0–3 at the plate, reaching second base on a throwing error before being replaced with a pinch runner.[64]

He was a sideline reporter for the XFL for some of its games in 2020.[65]

McAfee is a co-host on the sports gambling podcast Hammer Dahn, which is produced by his business, Pat McAfee Inc.[66] He makes occasional appearances on PMI's other podcasts, The Pod and That's Hockey Talk.

He took part in The Soccer Tournament in 2024 as a player,[67] and as a team manager in 2025.[68]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

A month before the NFL draft on March 22, 2009, McAfee was involved in a match against The WarPig at an IWA East Coast show in South Charleston, West Virginia. WarPig controlled much of the match, but McAfee hit him with a low blow and a superkick, securing an upset victory.[69] Nine years later, in March 2018, McAfee was present at an NXT show in Indianapolis, where he prevented Adam Cole from winning by disqualification in his match against Aleister Black. Instead, McAfee's distraction gave Black enough time to recover and hit Cole with his finisher, Black Mass.[70]

In June 2017, McAfee briefly trained as a professional wrestler with Rip Rogers, which was filmed for Barstool Sports.[71][72]

WWE (2018–present)

[edit]

Sporadic appearances (2018–2020)

[edit]

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,[73] NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4[74] and NXT TakeOver: WarGames. In December, it was reported that he had formally signed a multi-year contract with WWE,[2] and officially signed the contract in February 2019.[3][4] He then began hosting live watch-along of WWE's pay-per-views on YouTube, beginning with Fastlane, alongside a number of WWE wrestlers.[75] In the buildup to WrestleMania, McAfee, his crew and various special guests travelled venue to venue in an RV, that his friend Zito got stuck under an awning at MetLife Stadium, which was filmed for Pat McAfee's Road to WrestleMania.[76] Backstage at the event, McAfee got into an argument with Michael Cole, when Cole had criticized him for wearing tuxedo shorts. McAfee threatened to quit on the spot and was sent to another room while the situation was dealt with. After Vince McMahon was shown an image of LeBron James at the 2018 NBA Finals, and that the outfit was similar to the one McAfee was wearing for WrestleMania, McMahon approved and McAfee was allowed to co-host the second hour of the pre-show, alongside Charly Caruso.[77]

McAfee made a guest appearance on the November 1 episode of SmackDown.[78][79][80]

As part of NXT, he also was involved in storylines, including one with the NXT Champion Adam Cole.[81] At NXT TakeOver XXX, McAfee was defeated by Cole.[82] McAfee's storyline included his own stable named The Kings of NXT, which included Pete Dunne, Ridge Holland, Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan.[83][84] The feud between Undisputed Era and Kings of NXT concluded at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, where McAfee's team was defeated.[85]

Commentator (2021–present)

[edit]

On April 16, 2021, WWE announced that McAfee had been moved to the SmackDown brand, serving as color commentator alongside Michael Cole .[86] On March 3, 2022, on The Pat McAfee Show, McAfee would interview Vince McMahon, in which McMahon would offer McAfee a match at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania 38, McAfee would defeat Theory, before challenging Vince McMahon to an impromptu match straight after, which McMahon accepted and won. Following that match, Theory and McMahon would continue to attack McAfee until Stone Cold Steve Austin would interrupt and give all three of them a Stone Cold Stunner.[87] His next on-screen feud was with Baron Corbin, defeating him at SummerSlam. WWE announced on September 7 that McAfee was taking a hiatus from working for WWE for the foreseeable future as he is set to join ESPN's College GameDay, and will return once it has ended.

At Royal Rumble on January 28, 2023, McAfee made a surprise return for commentary right before the men's Royal Rumble match began. McAfee did not make another appearance until WrestleMania 39, challenging The Miz to a match, and then going on to win in under 4 minutes after co-host Snoop Dogg made the match official.

On January 27, 2024, McAfee once again returned at Royal Rumble as a surprise guest commentator and surprise entrant at #22 in the men's Royal Rumble match. McAfee quickly exited the ring and eliminated himself.[88] McAfee would later claim that he was unaware ahead of the event that he would be a participant in the men's Royal Rumble match.[89] Two days later, McAfee made his full-time return to WWE on Raw as part of the new commentary team with Michael Cole.[90] McAfee was announced as downloadable content for WWE 2K24.[91] On August 19, he once again took a hiatus from WWE to return to College GameDay.

McAfee returned on the premiere of Raw on Netflix on January 6, 2025, once again partnering with Michael Cole, and going on to become a full time commentator for the brand. On the April 21 episode of Raw, McAfee was attacked by Gunther after attempting to come to the aid of Michael Cole.[92] A week later, McAfee explained his actions and asked stand-in RAW General Manager Nick Aldis to lift the ban on Gunther so he can battle him on the upcoming episode of Smackdown. Aldis initially refused, instead making the match between McAfee and Gunther at Backlash. Ahead of Smackdown on May 2, WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner offered to train McAfee for his upcoming match against Gunther.

On May 10, 2025, McAfee faced Gunther at Backlash in St. Louis, Missouri. Gunther choked McAfee out with a sleeper hold, thus winning via technical submission.[93] A day later on Raw, he joined Michael Cole in the booth to celebrate the life of Sabu, who died on May 11, while Gunther resumed his rivalry with Jey Uso. In June 2025, McAfee announced that he would be taking another hiatus from commentating due to mental exhaustion.[94]

On 20 September, 2025, McAfee made his return as a commentator for Wrestlepalooza in Indianapolis.

Personal life

[edit]

On October 20, 2010, McAfee was arrested and charged with public intoxication, a Class B misdemeanor. McAfee was found shirtless and wet, and alleged to have swum in a canal in Broad Ripple, a popular nightclub area in Indianapolis, at approximately 5:15 that morning after being reported by a woman who found him near her car. Police reported that he tested with a blood alcohol content of 0.15.[95] The Colts later issued a one-game suspension to McAfee for his actions.[96] Two weeks after being arrested, McAfee issued an apology for his actions. "Obviously I made a dumb decision on a night when things got out of control," he said. "I will never put my team or my family through this kind of embarrassment again."[97]

On February 5, 2016, McAfee became a Guinness World Record holder by successfully kicking a 40-yard field goal while blindfolded.[98] The record was surpassed two years later when Davis Brief, a fan of McAfee's, kicked a 45-yard field goal while blindfolded on September 23, 2018.[99]

McAfee became engaged to Samantha Ludy in February 2019.[100] The two married August 1, 2020, at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana, with Bob Kevoian from the Bob & Tom Show officiating.[101] The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, on May 4, 2023.[102]

McAfee is good friends with fellow wrestler and fellow former football player Thomas Pestock, best known by his ring name Baron Corbin. They were teammates while a part of the Indianapolis Colts and roommates during their rookie year. They bonded over their love for wrestling and eventually would work a match together at SummerSlam 2022.[103]

Philanthropy

[edit]

In 2020, 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.[104] In 2021, he 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.[105]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pat McAfee

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Patrick Justin McAfee (born May 2, 1987) is an American former professional football punter who played for the from 2009 to 2016, , and media entrepreneur known for hosting . During his NFL career, McAfee recorded 575 punts for 26,653 yards, earned First-team honors in 2014, and was selected to two Pro Bowls in 2014 and 2016, while also receiving All-Rookie recognition in 2009. After retiring, he transitioned to , contributing as a analyst for and a commentator for events, including NXT and SmackDown. , launched in 2019, grew into a multimedia platform with millions of subscribers, culminating in a five-year, $85 million licensing agreement with in 2023 that allows independent production and distribution. McAfee's brash, unfiltered style has attracted a large audience but also sparked controversies, such as backlash over comments on Caitlin Clark's role in WNBA popularity and amplification of unsubstantiated rumors, including a 2025 incident involving an Ole Miss student that prompted legal threats.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Upbringing

Pat McAfee was born on May 2, 1987, in , a northeastern suburb of , to parents Tim and Sally McAfee. He grew up in a working-class household alongside his brother, Jason McAfee, who later pursued a with . Tim McAfee embodied a rigorous blue-collar work ethic, starting as a truck driver in his early career before transitioning to cabinet sales and later painting cabinets to provide for the family. McAfee has publicly credited his father's relentless dedication—describing him as "the hardest-working human being I've met in my life"—as a formative influence on his own drive and resilience. Sally McAfee, who worked as a counselor, offered emotional support and stability, contributing to a family environment that emphasized perseverance amid modest means. The McAfees fostered a supportive atmosphere in Plum's suburban setting, where community ties and familial expectations shaped McAfee's early development, instilling values of hard work and familial loyalty that later informed his professional ethos. This upbringing, rooted in Pittsburgh's industrious culture, provided the foundation for McAfee's transition into athletics without notable privileges or early advantages beyond parental encouragement.

High School Athletic Achievements

Pat McAfee attended in , where he lettered in football, soccer, , and wrestling. In football, he specialized as the kicker and punter, earning first-team all-conference honors. As a senior in 2004, McAfee averaged 44.9 yards per punt on 51 attempts, placing 18 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line and recording a school-record longest punt of 82 yards. That season, he received first-team All-State recognition as a punter and was named Pennsylvania's Player of the Year. ranked him the top kicker prospect in the nation entering his senior year. Earlier, as a in 2003, he won the national Punt, Pass & Kick competition. McAfee also excelled in soccer as a three-year first-team All-Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) performer, contributing as both a striker and defender. By the end of his sophomore season, he had accumulated 100 career goals. His versatility across sports drew collegiate recruiting interest in football, soccer, and .

Collegiate Football at West Virginia University

McAfee attended , where he played for the Mountaineers as both a and punter from 2005 to 2008. A native of , he committed to WVU out of primarily as a kicker, drawing attention for his leg strength demonstrated in high school competitions. During his four seasons, McAfee appeared in 51 games, establishing himself as a reliable special teams contributor despite occasional competition for kicking duties. He set multiple WVU career records, including most games played (51), total scoring (384 points), kick scoring (384 points), and extra points made (210). His career punting average of 43.7 yards ranked third in school history at the time, reflecting consistent distance and hang time that aided field position battles. In his senior year of 2008, McAfee handled 89 kickoffs for 5,384 yards—an average of 60.5 yards per kickoff, with six touchbacks—while contributing 13 field goals and 64 extra points as the team's second-leading scorer. His performance that season underscored his versatility, though WVU's offense, led by quarterback Pat White, often limited special teams opportunities through high-scoring outputs. McAfee's efforts helped the Mountaineers reach the , where they faced in a 48-28 loss on January 5, 2009. McAfee's collegiate tenure also included minor defensive contributions, with 8 solo tackles recorded over his career, primarily on special teams coverage. These achievements positioned him for the , where he was selected by the in the seventh round (222nd overall), transitioning primarily to punting in the pros. In recognition of his impact, McAfee was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.

Professional Football Career

Indianapolis Colts Roster and Role

Pat McAfee was selected by the in the seventh round of the , 222nd overall, out of where he had handled both punting and kicking duties. He signed a four-year contract with the team on July 30, 2009, prior to . As a , McAfee competed for and secured the starting punter position, displacing veteran who had held the role for the prior eight seasons. McAfee remained on the Colts' active 53-man roster continuously from 2009 through the 2016 season, appearing in 127 regular-season games without interruption from trades, releases, or significant injuries affecting his status. A brief reserve/suspended designation occurred on October 20, 2010, related to a team policy violation, but he was reinstated shortly after and continued playing without missing games that season. His contract was extended in 2013 for three years at $9.05 million, reflecting the team's commitment to his role amid consistent performance. Following the 2016 season, McAfee retired from the NFL in February 2017. He played eight seasons (2009–2016) as a punter and kickoff specialist, with total career earnings of $17,496,000. Throughout his tenure, McAfee served primarily as the team's punter, executing 575 punts for a gross of 46.4 yards, ranking among the league's leaders in that metric during multiple seasons. He also frequently handled kickoff duties, leveraging his strong leg strength developed from college experience in both roles, which allowed the Colts to maintain flexibility in special teams personnel. Occasionally, McAfee contributed as a kicker, attempting field goals and extra points in select situations, though this was secondary to his punting responsibilities. His role extended to special teams leadership, where he was known for directional punting strategies aimed at pinning opponents deep in their territory.

On-Field Performance and NFL Statistics

Pat McAfee served as the primary punter for the from 2009 to 2016, appearing in 127 regular-season games. He also handled all kickoff duties for the team, recording 645 kickoffs with a franchise-record number of touchbacks, which minimized return opportunities for opponents. His performance emphasized raw power, with a career gross punting average of 46.4 yards on 575 punts, ranking among the 's historical leaders in yards per punt. This figure placed him 19th all-time as of 2025, reflecting his ability to consistently deliver long-distance kicks despite occasional criticisms regarding directional precision early in his career. McAfee's net punting average stood at 40.2 yards, accounting for returns and touchbacks, with 193 punts landing inside the opponents' 20-yard line (33.6% rate) and only 49 touchbacks (8.5% rate). His longest punt measured 74 yards, achieved in 2016 against the . While his gross average highlighted leg strength, improvements in placement over time contributed to All-Pro recognition, particularly in seasons where he exceeded 40% inside-20 efficiency.
SeasonGamesPuntsYardsAvg (Y/P)Net (NY/P)Inside 20TouchbacksLong
Career12757526,65346.440.21934974
201416693,22146.7----
201516854,05247.7----
201610552,71149.3---74
In 2014, McAfee earned First-Team honors after posting a 46.7-yard and a league-leading 43.5% inside-20 rate, demonstrating enhanced control. The following year, he achieved a 47.7-yard amid the Colts' playoff push. His pinnacle came in 2016, leading the with a 49.3-yard before a season-ending , underscoring his peak physical capability despite four blocked punts across his career. These metrics established McAfee as the franchise leader in gross and net punting , surpassing predecessors like .

Pro Bowl Selections and Career Highlights

McAfee earned his first selection following the , recognized for his consistent performance as the Colts' punter. He followed this with a second nod after the 2016 season, during which he ranked among the league's top punters in net average and inside-20 pins. Additionally, McAfee received First-Team honors in 2014, after posting a league-leading gross punting average of 47.9 yards on 83 attempts. A key highlight of McAfee's rookie year came in on February 7, 2010, where he contributed to the Colts' appearance against the , though fell 31–17; he recorded three punts for 126 yards, including a 65-yard boot. Over his eight-season tenure from 2009 to 2016, McAfee appeared in 127 games, delivering 575 punts for 26,653 total yards at a 46.4-yard average, with a career-long of 74 yards. He also handled kickoff duties, logging 587 kickoffs for 36,012 yards, and occasionally attempted field goals and extra points early in his career. McAfee's aggressive style distinguished him among punters, as he recorded 11 tackles, often pursuing returners aggressively to prevent big plays; notable examples include a 2012 downfield tackle against the that exemplified his willingness to engage physically beyond his primary role. His reliability helped the Colts' special teams unit maintain field position advantages, contributing to multiple playoff runs, including AFC Championship appearances in 2009 and 2014. Despite these accolades, McAfee's career punting stats placed him just outside franchise records, reflecting a solid but not dominant ranking among punters of his era.

Transition to Post-Football Ventures

Initial Media and Business Experiments

Following his retirement from the National Football League on February 2, 2017, Pat McAfee partnered with Barstool Sports to launch The Pat McAfee Show as his primary initial media venture. The program debuted on February 23, 2017, as a three-hour podcast episode, featuring McAfee's unscripted style of sports analysis, humor, and storytelling drawn from his NFL experiences. Broadcast initially at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time and later expanded to radio via SiriusXM, the show experimented with a conversational format that prioritized entertainment over conventional sports talk, attracting an early audience through McAfee's personality and Barstool's digital platform. The production operated from a dedicated studio in downtown Indianapolis, marking McAfee's first structured business effort in content creation, where he handled hosting, guest selection, and thematic segments often centered on NFL topics, gambling, and pop culture. By mid-2017, the show had secured a 10,000-square-foot facility in Indianapolis for operations, reflecting an experimental scaling of podcast infrastructure that included live elements and video components under Barstool's 'Barstool Sports Live' banner. This phase tested McAfee's ability to monetize personal branding through sponsorships and digital distribution, diverging from salaried athlete income to revenue reliant on listener engagement and ad partnerships. McAfee's approach emphasized raw, audience-driven content over polished production, with early episodes recorded in informal settings like basements before studio formalization, allowing rapid iteration based on feedback. The venture succeeded in building a niche following among younger sports fans, but it also highlighted challenges in aligning with Barstool's edgier ethos, leading to creative tensions that informed subsequent independent efforts. By August 2018, accumulating experience from over a year of daily broadcasts positioned McAfee to depart Barstool and relaunch independently, validating the experimental model's viability for post-athletic entrepreneurship.

Formation of Pat McAfee Inc.

Following his retirement from the in February 2017 and subsequent brief stint producing under , McAfee departed the platform on August 31, 2018, citing disagreements over financial terms and equity in the content's growing success. This split allowed McAfee to retain full ownership and revenue potential from sponsorships, which had been limited under Barstool's model despite the show's rapid audience growth to over 100,000 daily downloads by mid-2018. Pat McAfee Inc. emerged directly from this transition as an headquartered in , , focused on self-produced sports talk content without reliance on external networks. Initially, the entity centralized operations for , transitioning it to platforms like and SiriusXM's Barstool Power 85 channel before full independence, while launching three additional programs: That's Hockey Talk, Hammer Dahn, and wrestling-focused content. This structure emphasized direct-to-consumer distribution and ad deals, enabling McAfee to negotiate multimillion-dollar sponsorships independently from the outset. The formation prioritized creative control and profit-sharing among a core team, including early producers and co-hosts, contrasting Barstool's centralized oversight. By late 2018, Pat McAfee Inc. had secured distribution deals generating seven-figure annual , laying the foundation for expansion into and ventures.

Media and Entertainment Career

The Pat McAfee Show Development and Expansion

The Pat McAfee Show launched on September 9, 2019, initially distributed via streaming platforms including YouTube and radio syndication through Westwood One. Building on McAfee's earlier satellite radio appearances starting in 2016, the program quickly gained traction as an independent sports talk show, emphasizing unfiltered commentary and guest interviews. Early expansion included a multi-year with announced in July 2020, integrating the sportsbook into daily content and marking the show's first major commercial affiliation. This evolved into a landmark four-year, $120 million deal in December 2021, providing substantial revenue while allowing McAfee to retain creative control and independence from traditional broadcast constraints. In May 2023, McAfee opted out of the remaining contract to join in a multiplatform licensing agreement valued at approximately $85 million over five years, prioritizing broader audience reach over higher short-term payouts. The show debuted on platforms on September 7, 2023, airing live weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. ET, with the first two hours simulcast on , , and on , followed by the third hour exclusively on . Post-ESPN affiliation, viewership surged, amassing 242 million total views across platforms in its first month and averaging 886,000 live viewers per episode in December 2023, reflecting a 21% increase in total reach from prior benchmarks. By September 2025, the program achieved over 1 billion social media views for the month, with live/concurrent viewership averaging 447,000 across and , up 18% year-over-year, underscoring its sustained expansion in digital and linear audiences.

Network Affiliations and Broadcasting Roles

McAfee joined in 2019 as a analyst, contributing to primetime broadcasts alongside play-by-play announcer . In August 2022, he partnered with Peyton Manning's to host alternate telecasts on , providing commentary for select games. That fall, McAfee expanded his ESPN presence by joining the network's College GameDay panel as a weekly analyst. In May 2023, ESPN announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast The Pat McAfee Show live on weekdays across linear TV, , , and other platforms, while McAfee retained his roles on College GameDay and alternate game broadcasts. This deal integrated his independent media production with ESPN's infrastructure without traditional network oversight on content. McAfee entered professional wrestling broadcasting with WWE in 2018 as a guest color commentator for NXT TakeOver events, leading to a full contract in February 2019. He transitioned to main roster duties in April 2021 as color commentator for Friday Night SmackDown, later shifting to Monday Night Raw in January 2024 as lead analyst alongside Michael Cole, replacing . McAfee has periodically stepped away from WWE commentary to prioritize ESPN commitments and his show, resuming select appearances such as at Wrestlepalooza in September 2025. Earlier affiliations included guest hosting for ' college and NFL games in late 2018, as well as sideline reporting for the XFL in 2020 and 2021. McAfee also maintains a partnership with , initiated in July 2020 and expanded into a $120 million four-year deal in December 2021, which features integrated betting content and media exclusives but does not constitute traditional broadcasting employment.

Business Deals, Revenue Metrics, and Industry Impact

In December 2021, Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI) entered a four-year, $120 million exclusive content partnership with FanDuel Group, which included gambling category exclusives, integrated media, and content production, marking one of the largest deals for a sports media personality at the time. McAfee opted out of the agreement after two years in 2023, citing a desire for greater independence and alignment with broader media opportunities. This move facilitated a five-year, $85 million licensing deal with ESPN announced in May 2023, under which The Pat McAfee Show simulcasts on ESPN platforms while retaining full creative control, ad sales rights, and production independence through PMI. The ESPN arrangement, valued at approximately $17 million annually, has proven profitable for the network despite initial perceptions of a pay cut from the FanDuel contract. Revenue metrics for demonstrate substantial digital performance, with the program surpassing 1 billion views in September 2025 alone, an 18% year-over-year increase, alongside strong linear viewership averaging 389,000 daily across and platforms. ad revenue estimates for the show's channel range from $22,400 to $503,000 monthly, contributing to PMI's overall earnings, though total revenue includes sponsorships, merchandise, and licensing fees not publicly itemized. The partnership prior to 2023 generated significant income through promotions and odds boosts tied to the show, enhancing PMI's financial model of athlete-led . McAfee's ventures have influenced the sports media industry by exemplifying the viability of independent, personality-driven content licensed to traditional networks, preserving creator autonomy while leveraging established distribution. This model has accelerated the rise of athlete-owned media companies, as seen in comparable high-value deals for podcasts like those of the Kelce brothers, prioritizing authenticity, multi-platform , and direct audience monetization over conventional broadcasting constraints. His approach has pressured legacy outlets to adapt to digital-first consumption patterns, fostering competition through unfiltered commentary and viral social integration that traditional formats struggle to replicate.

Professional Wrestling Pursuits

Early Wrestling Exposure

McAfee, a lifelong enthusiast, first stepped into a as an NFL draft prospect in March 2009, competing in a semi-professional match against the masked performer known as WarPig at an IWA East Coast event held at the South Charleston Community Center in . This bout occurred approximately one month before the , during which McAfee, fresh off his career at , secured an upset victory over the larger opponent by delivering a low blow followed by a superkick, despite WarPig dominating much of the action. The match drew local attention for blending McAfee's athletic profile with wrestling spectacle, though it proceeded against the advice of his agent, who viewed it as a risk to his impending football prospects. Sustaining his interest in wrestling amid his NFL tenure from 2009 to 2016, McAfee purchased a full-size ring—measuring 18 feet by 18 feet—online during an impulsive late-night decision while still an active player with the . He utilized the ring for personal training and experimentation, honing basic maneuvers and familiarity with the in-ring environment, which later informed his transitions into wrestling commentary and performance. This hands-on exposure predated his formal affiliations with major promotions and underscored a persistent outside football, rooted in admiration for the physicality and entertainment value of the sport.

WWE Commentary and In-Ring Appearances

McAfee began contributing to programming in 2018 as a pre-show analyst for events, starting with : New Orleans on April 7. His role expanded to color commentary, including stints on major pay-per-views and Friday Night SmackDown. On April 16, 2021, announced McAfee as a full-time addition to the SmackDown commentary team alongside play-by-play announcer Michael Cole, where his energetic style complemented Cole's delivery during weekly episodes and premium live events. He continued in this capacity until September 2022, after which he took a hiatus to prioritize his media ventures, though he made sporadic returns for events like . McAfee resumed regular WWE commentary duties in early 2024, joining Michael Cole on Monday Night Raw as a full-time starting January 29, following 's acquisition by . This partnership emphasized McAfee's rapport with Cole, drawing from their prior collaborations, and aimed to broaden 's appeal to audiences. He stepped away temporarily in mid-2025 citing exhaustion from dual commitments to his and broadcasting, with filling in on Raw. McAfee returned for select appearances, including SmackDown on September 20, 2025, and confirmed a comeback to Raw commentary on January 6, 2025, ahead of its premiere. Parallel to his commentary work, McAfee pursued in-ring competition, debuting on August 22, 2020, at NXT TakeOver XXX in a singles match against Adam Cole, which he lost by submission. This stemmed from an on-air feud originating on his podcast, leading to further NXT involvement, including a team match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames on December 6, 2020, where his team was defeated. McAfee secured his first WWE victory on April 3, 2022, at WrestleMania 38 Night 2, pinning Austin Theory in under five minutes after a low blow and People's Elbow. He followed with a quick win over The Miz at WrestleMania 39 on April 1, 2023, lasting 1:13 via roll-up after interference. Additional bouts included a loss to Baron Corbin at SummerSlam on August 21, 2021, and an impromptu confrontation with Vince McMahon on September 20, 2021, during Raw, ending in McAfee's punt kick disqualification. These appearances, often unscripted or feud-driven, totaled fewer than ten matches, blending his athletic background with entertainment value without pursuing a full-time wrestling schedule.

Controversies and Criticisms

ESPN Internal Disputes and Executive Tensions

In January 2024, tensions between Pat McAfee and executives escalated when McAfee publicly accused senior executive Norby Williamson of attempting to sabotage by leaking inaccurate viewership data to media outlets. On January 5, 2024, during a broadcast, McAfee described Williamson as a "rat" and claimed he was part of a group "actively trying to sabotage us from within ," specifically referencing a report by 's Andrew Marchand that cited lower-than-actual ratings figures released 12 hours before official numbers. McAfee asserted the show's linear TV viewership had increased by 12% year-over-year to 595,000 average viewers, contradicting the leaked data, and framed the incident as an effort to undermine the program's success amid its $85 million licensing deal with signed in 2023. ESPN responded by stating it would handle the matter internally, affirming support for McAfee's program and its independent production model, which allows the show to air on ESPN platforms without direct network oversight. McAfee later elaborated in February 2024 that he viewed the conflict as emblematic of broader resistance from "old guard" elements at ESPN uncomfortable with his unfiltered style, declaring on a podcast, "I don't got a motherf***ing boss," while emphasizing his commitment to maintaining creative control. Williamson, a 40-year ESPN veteran overseeing event and studio production, did not publicly respond to the allegations. Williamson's departure from in April 2024 fueled speculation tying it to the dispute, though network sources attributed the exit to strategic misalignments with evolving leadership priorities under Disney rather than McAfee's criticisms alone. Reports indicated Williamson's traditional production approach clashed with 's push toward digital and personality-driven content, areas where McAfee's success highlighted internal divides. McAfee expressed no regret over his comments, viewing them as necessary to protect his show's autonomy. By late 2024, frustrations extended beyond Williamson, with anonymous producers describing McAfee's conduct as "diva-like" and entitled, citing his public criticisms of "old, white" executives and perceived demands for special treatment during integrations like College GameDay appearances. McAfee countered by alleging sabotage attempts persisted and referenced receiving death threats and online abuse amid the feuds, hinting at renewed clashes with unnamed executives resistant to his influence. These incidents underscored ongoing cultural friction at between legacy broadcast operations and McAfee's disruptive, high-energy format, which prioritizes audience engagement over conventional decorum.

Public Statements, Rumors, and Backlash

In June 2024, McAfee faced significant backlash after referring to WNBA rookie as a "white bitch" during a segment on , where he argued that Clark's race and skill had driven unprecedented interest in the league amid discussions of physical play against her. The remark, intended as a compliment highlighting Clark's impact, drew criticism for its misogynistic and racially charged language, prompting accusations of insensitivity from media outlets and users. McAfee issued a public apology the following day, stating he had reached out privately to Clark, regretted the phrasing, and emphasized his admiration for her, while defending the substantive point about her role in elevating the WNBA's visibility. In November 2021, McAfee hosted quarterback on his show, where Rodgers detailed his unvaccinated status and use of alternative treatments like , sparking widespread media criticism for platforming what some viewed as on . McAfee responded by expressing honor at the backlash, framing it as validation of the interview's unfiltered nature and defending his role in providing a space for Rodgers to clarify his "immunized" comment from earlier that year. Critics, including sports journalists, accused McAfee of amplifying anti-vaccine sentiments, though he maintained the discussion centered on personal choice and allergy concerns rather than endorsement. In March 2025, McAfee amplified an unverified rumor on his show alleging that an Ole Miss freshman student had engaged in misconduct during a campus incident, which quickly spread and led to the student receiving and doxxing that she claimed "destroyed" aspects of her life, including social and academic standing. The story was later debunked as false, with the student retaining legal counsel to pursue action against McAfee, , and others involved in its dissemination. McAfee publicly apologized in July 2025, acknowledging the rumor's inaccuracy and expressing regret for not verifying it before airing, amid reports of ongoing fallout including potential claims. On October 21, 2025, McAfee addressed mounting online criticism of his College GameDay hosting by lashing out at detractors, particularly "old white people" whom he accused of harboring personal animosity, including some within , while revealing receipt of death threats tied to his rising profile. The comments intensified backlash from media reports portraying him as divisive and prompted defenses from supporters who viewed them as a pushback against entrenched biases in sports broadcasting. In 2023, former quarterback filed a defamation lawsuit against McAfee over comments made on linking Favre to the Mississippi welfare scandal, alleging McAfee falsely accused him of stealing from the poor. Favre dropped the suit in May 2023 without prejudice, stating it no longer served his interests amid ongoing state investigations into the scandal. In February 2025, McAfee amplified an unverified internet rumor on his show alleging that Ole Miss freshman Mary Kate Cornett had engaged in salacious behavior involving football players, which was later proven false and led to threats of a against McAfee and . Cornett's family considered legal action, citing reputational harm, though McAfee defended the segment as repeating public speculation and later issued a public apology, acknowledging the rumor's falsity. Legal experts noted potential defenses for McAfee under First Amendment protections for opinion-based commentary, but emphasized risks if the statements were deemed factual assertions of misconduct. McAfee has faced multiple instances of death threats tied to his on-air commentary. In March 2025, following remarks criticizing during a WWE-related discussion, he received messages on wishing death upon himself and his then-1-year-old , prompting him to share screenshots publicly and express concern for safety. By October 2025, McAfee disclosed ongoing death threats against himself and his , alongside "pretty regular" online , which he attributed in part to professional tensions at . He has not reported formal involvement in these incidents beyond public disclosure.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Pat McAfee proposed to Samantha Ludy in February 2019 during a ride to a waterfall. The couple announced their on on August 2, 2020. McAfee and his wife welcomed their first child, daughter Mackenzie Lynn McAfee, on May 4, 2023. Samantha McAfee publicly shared that the couple had experienced a prior to Mackenzie's birth, describing the journey to parenthood as challenging. As of 2025, the family includes two dogs, Chuck and Valerie Ann. McAfee's father, Tim McAfee, passed away before the couple's marriage.

Health, Lifestyle, and Public Persona

McAfee experienced significant following his NFL and the birth of his children, reaching approximately 300 pounds due to reduced personal focus on fitness amid and professional demands. He subsequently undertook a body transformation, losing around 80 pounds through disciplined efforts to regain physical condition, emphasizing that fatherhood initially contributed to his heavier frame before motivating renewed health priorities. In July 2025, McAfee disclosed stepping away from WWE commentary roles due to mental exhaustion, describing symptoms including "brain fog" and burnout from an overloaded schedule combining media production, travel, and family life, which he likened to hitting a personal wall. No chronic physical ailments have been publicly detailed beyond typical post-athletic recovery needs, such as experimenting with specialized massages like Tom Brady's TB12 method in 2021 to aid muscle recovery. He has advocated for fitness publicly, declaring 2020 as his "year of getting fit" and sharing workout insights, reflecting a commitment to maintaining an active physique despite past indulgences. McAfee's lifestyle centers on high-energy routines supporting his media empire, including daily family consultations—such as seeking advice from his —and a demanding schedule that blends with to sustain his on-air vigor. Early in his NFL career, his lifestyle included heavy partying and alcohol use, which nearly derailed his trajectory before he stabilized post-retirement into a more structured, family-oriented routine without reported ongoing substance issues. His public persona is characterized by unfiltered, irreverent commentary, quirky humor, and an engaging, high-octane style that evolved from his NFL days as a fan-favorite punter known for strong performance and personality. McAfee projects self-assuredness and confrontational energy, often blasting critics—including internal media figures—and maintaining a positive, participation-based perspective on sports, which has propelled his transition to a top media personality. This approach, blending meathead jock authenticity with broad appeal, has drawn both admiration for its rawness and backlash for its intensity, as seen in recent public rants against detractors.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

Charitable Foundations and Causes

The Pat McAfee Foundation, established in as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, focuses on providing educational scholarships to children of U.S. , including active-duty members, veterans, and those who died in service. Operated by McAfee and his father Tim, the foundation has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to more than 70 recipients as of 2023, prioritizing applicants demonstrating academic merit and financial need tied to military family circumstances. In 2021, McAfee launched the "We're All Mustangs Here" initiative as a dedicated fund supporting in his hometown of , where he played football; this effort included a $2 million donation for facility upgrades, such as a new installed in 2025. The program emphasizes community and education infrastructure, reflecting McAfee's emphasis on hometown athletic development. McAfee's philanthropy centers on military support, youth education, and sports access, with additional commitments like a $1 million pledge over 10 years (starting annually at $100,000) to the Professional Football Players Mothers Association's Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund for retired players' needs. He has also backed causes addressing , donating $100,000 to the Foundation in September 2025 following a public challenge on his show. These efforts underscore a pattern of targeted giving to service-related hardships and community athletics rather than broad institutional charities.

Specific Donations and Initiatives

McAfee established the Pat McAfee Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing educational scholarships to children of U.S. . In 2021, following a lucrative endorsement deal with , McAfee donated $6 million to support youth programs, , and shelters. As part of the same initiative, he contributed $1 million specifically to the WVU . Through the "We're All Mustangs Here" foundation, McAfee donated $2 million to , his , in 2021 to support facilities and programs; in August 2025, the foundation provided a new for the school's . In August 2024, McAfee pledged $1 million to the NIL fund via the Country Roads Trust to aid student-athlete opportunities. He committed $1 million over 10 years ($100,000 annually) to the Gridiron Foundation, matching contributions for professional football alumni support. The Pat McAfee Show has facilitated over $2 million in charitable donations through weekly kicking challenges, including $1.15 million from the 2024 ESPN College GameDay contests alone. Additional GameDay efforts in 2025 included $200,000 from McAfee, $200,000 from , and $100,000 to the Foundation. In April 2025, McAfee's "Big Night Aht" event at raised approximately $3 million, with proceeds benefiting four nonprofits, including the and the Foundation of Hope; McAfee and comedian each donated $50,000 directly to during the show. Other targeted gifts include $100,000 in October 2024 to the Fuller Center for disaster recovery following Hurricane Helene in , and $50,000 in December 2024 to a charity selected by Mark Andrews after a touchdown streak.

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  34. https://www.colts.com/photos/pat-mcafee-named-to-the-2017-pro-bowl-18313857
  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkqdofVqG9I
  36. https://www.colts.com/news/pat-mcafee-to-host-radio-show-broadcasted-in-indianapolis-studio-18533613
  37. https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahrheawerner/2017/03/08/how-barstool-sports-new-podcast-found-success-before-it-even-launched/
  38. https://www.nickiswift.com/1749639/meteoric-rise-pat-mcafee/
  39. https://www.reddit.com/r/PatMcAfeeShowOfficial/comments/liukpg/pmi_history/
  40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phZ9Zb0Rd1g
  41. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2018/08/31/former-colts-punter-pat-mcafee-leaving-barstool-sports/1159521002/
  42. https://www.newsweek.com/pat-mcafee-announces-his-departure-barstool-sports-1100412
  43. https://awfulannouncing.com/barstool/pat-mcafee-dave-portnoy-reason-split.html
  44. https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/pat-mcafee-net-worth
  45. https://www.profootballhistory.com/pat-mcafee/
  46. https://apnews.com/article/espn-abc-notre-dame-lsu-nba-a412d731240391cd7790a08fa8b009da
  47. https://press.fanduel.com/press-releases/pat-mcafee-inc-and-fanduel-group-expand-partnership-announce-first-ever-official-partnership-between-legal-sportsbook-and-sports-media-personality
  48. https://nypost.com/2021/12/09/pat-mcafee-show-gets-30m-per-year-in-blockbuster-fanduel-deal/
  49. https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2021/12/10/pat-mcafee-fan-duel-120-million-deal
  50. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2023/05/31/pat-mcafee-explains-espn-move-despite-lucrative-fanduel-contract/70273547007/
  51. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4525237/2023/05/16/pat-mcafee-espn-fanduel/
  52. https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/08/the-pat-mcafee-show-on-espn-platforms-launches-sept-7-part-of-espns-personality-packed-programming-lineup/
  53. https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/10/the-pat-mcafee-show-starts-strong-with-242-million-total-views-across-all-platforms-during-first-month-of-espn-launch/
  54. https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/01/the-pat-mcafee-show-sees-steady-growth-in-december-garnering-886000-average-viewers-per-episode-across-live-channels/
  55. https://thedesk.net/2025/10/espn-pat-mcafee-youtube-program/
  56. https://sportsmedianews.com/the-pat-mcafee-show-hits-1-billion-monthly-social-media-views-for-the-first-time-delivers-most-watched-september-across-espn-and-youtube/
  57. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2022/08/04/pat-mcafee-teams-up-with-peyton-mannings-company-for-espn-college-football-broadcasts/
  58. https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2025/07/pat-mcafee%2C-espn-bringing-show-to-hall-of-fame/
  59. https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/37664316/pat-mcafee-show-coming-espn-multiyear-deal
  60. https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/05/pat-mcafee-expands-his-multiplatform-espn-role-as-the-pat-mcafee-show-moves-to-espn-this-fall/
  61. https://www.wwe.com/superstars/pat-mcafee
  62. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5237086/2024/01/29/pat-mcafee-wwe-raw-commentary/
  63. https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/09/20/pat-mcafee-returns-to-wwe-commentary-at-wrestlepalooza/
  64. https://pfnewsroom.com/news/pat-mcafee-on-his-xfl-sideline-duties-not-for-me/
  65. https://nypost.com/2021/12/13/whats-behind-fanduels-120m-pat-mcafee-deal/
  66. https://www.flutter.com/news-and-insights/press-releases/fanduel-and-pat-mcafee-announce-multi-year-exclusive-content-partnership-agreement/
  67. https://sports.yahoo.com/pat-mcafee-leaving-120m-fanduel-contract-behind-to-join-espn-194643666.html
  68. https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/pat-mcafee-show-profit.html
  69. https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/10/the-pat-mcafee-show-hits-1-billion-monthly-social-media-views-for-the-first-time-delivers-most-watched-september-across-espn-and-youtube/
  70. https://www.speakrj.com/audit/report/UCxcTeAKWJca6XyJ37_ZoKIQ/youtube/income-stats
  71. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolekraft/2023/11/01/pat-mcafee-continues-to-reshape--the-sports-media-landscape/
  72. https://annenberg.usc.edu/news/research-and-impact/first-its-kind-study-reveals-rise-athlete-owned-media
  73. https://marketscale.com/industries/sports-and-entertainment/what-marketers-can-learn-from-pat-mcafees-success/
  74. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/before-nfl-career-colts-pat-mcafee-wrestled-warpig-against-agents-wishes
  75. https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2009/3/26/18608246/all-american-kicker-pat-mcafee-wrestles-war-pig-improves-draft-stock
  76. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Pat_McAfee
  77. https://www.si.com/wrestling/2020/12/06/pat-mcafee-transition-nfl-to-nxt-takeover-wargames-match
  78. https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-nfl-standout-pat-mc-afee-wwe-work-has-been-time-of-my-life-162530118.html
  79. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/29733682/pat-mcafee-wwe-debut-ex-nfl-punter-discusses-high-spots-props-wrestlers-ring-future
  80. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/29706273/wwe-nxt-pat-mcafee-pro-wrestling-perfect-match
  81. https://www.si.com/wrestling/2024/01/30/wwe-raw-pat-mcafee-commentary-team
  82. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2025/07/17/pat-mcafee-stepped-away-wwe/85259462007/
  83. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/pat-mcafee-wwe-return-date-131421609.html
  84. https://www.facebook.com/groups/341485666922472/posts/1110640086673689/
  85. https://khelnow.com/wwe/pat-mcafee-full-record-wwe-202505
  86. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/pat-mcafee-17376.html
  87. https://www.thesportster.com/every-wwe-match-pat-mcafee-career-revisited-nxt-adam-cole-baron-corbin-vince-mcmahon/
  88. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5182158/2024/01/05/pat-mcafee-espn-sabotage/
  89. https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/06/media/pat-mcafee-norby-williamson-espn
  90. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pat-mcafee-claims-notable-espn-executive-sabotaging-show
  91. https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/01/espn-statement-pat-mcafee-norby-williamson-handling-internally/
  92. https://frontofficesports.com/i-dont-got-a-motherfing-boss-pat-mcafee-goes-off-on-all-the-smoke-podcast/
  93. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/other-sports/news/pat-mcafee-espn-call-out-norby-williamson-war/5f1972011e07cb4105398680
  94. https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/05/media/espn-executive-norby-williamson-departs-network
  95. https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2024-04-05/norby-williamson-leaves-espn-pat-mcafee
  96. https://frontofficesports.com/espn-producers-fed-up-with-mcafees-diva-behavior/
  97. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/college-football/article-15213665/Pat-McAfee-new-ESPN-feud.html
  98. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/college-football/article-15225149/ESPN-civil-war-producers-entitled-diva-Pat-McAfee-feud-old-white-execs.html
  99. https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/03/media/pat-mcafee-caitlin-clark-backlash
  100. https://deadline.com/2024/06/pat-mcafee-caitlin-clark-1235958035/
  101. https://nypost.com/2021/11/09/aaron-rodgers-upset-over-interview-backlash-about-vaccines/
  102. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXouXnMR3iI
  103. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pat-mcafee-apologizes-college-student-false-rumor-rcna220613
  104. https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/pat-mcafee-lashes-out-at-old-white-people-who-hate-him-on-gameday/
  105. https://nypost.com/2025/10/24/sports/diva-like-pat-mcafee-is-in-war-with-espn-again/
  106. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37604028/brett-favre-says-no-longer-suing-pat-mcafee-defamation
  107. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolekraft/2025/04/06/pat-mcafee-faces-legal-ethical-fallout-over-ole-miss-remarks/
  108. https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2025/pat-mcafee-espn-ole-miss-rumor-legal-implications-1234845919/
  109. https://thespun.com/sports-media/pat-mcafee-issues-public-apology-to-college-student
  110. https://www.wboy.com/entertainment-news/pat-mcafee-addresses-possible-lawsuit-after-spreading-rumor-about-student-it-wont-be-as-impossible-to-be-a-fan-of-mine-going-forward/
  111. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25167376-pat-mcafee-reveals-fans-death-threats-his-daughter-after-wwe-elimination-chamber
  112. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pat-mcafee-shares-message-wishing-death-himself-infant-daughter-following-canada-comments
  113. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/fans-thinking-espns-pat-mcafee-010000002.html
  114. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/espn-star-pat-mcafee-reveals-hes-received-death-threats/ar-AA1P01Br
  115. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2020/08/02/pat-mcafee-gets-married-samantha-ludy-according-social-media/5566370002/
  116. https://people.com/who-is-samantha-mcafee-pat-mcafee-wife-8406220
  117. https://charlotterestaurantweek.iheart.com/content/2023-05-06-pat-mcafees-wife-share-first-photo-of-couples-first-child/
  118. https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-legends-news-pat-mcafee-children-how-many-kids-does-the-ex-nfl-star-have-with-wife-samantha/
  119. https://www.marca.com/en/nfl/2025/05/05/6819053ce2704e94298b4597.html
  120. https://www.instagram.com/p/DAWAerkO1of/?hl=en
  121. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/10171534/inside-pat-mcafees-insane-body-transformation/
  122. https://www.facebook.com/groups/800945738167633/posts/1239780317617504/
  123. https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a38365670/tom-brady-pat-mcafee-tb12-recovery-massage-review/
  124. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5WrTOdKcDc
  125. https://sports.yahoo.com/rise-pat-mcafee-nfl-punter-005852642.html
  126. https://barrettmedia.com/2025/10/21/pat-mcafee-blasts-old-white-people-old-espn-people-in-early-morning-instagram-story/
  127. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/45-3786098
  128. https://www.facebook.com/patmcafeefoundation/
  129. https://www.patmcafeeshow.com/about-details-1
  130. https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pat-mcafee-plum-high-school-scoreboard-donation/
  131. https://gridiron.org/donor-programs.php
  132. https://www.wvlt.tv/2025/09/15/pat-mcafee-donate-100000-pat-summitt-foundation/
  133. https://x.com/thepmacfound?lang=en
  134. https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/2021-12-09-pat-mcafee-signs-massive-new-fanduel-deal-donates-6-million-to-charity/
  135. https://www.si.com/college/westvirginia/mountaineers-in-the-pros/pat-mcafee-donates-one-million-dollars-to-the-wvu-childrens-hospital
  136. https://ecckersports.com/industry-insights/pat-mcafee-pledges-1-million-to-wvu-nil-fund/
  137. https://www.facebook.com/collegegameday/posts/pat-mcafee-show-has-donated-over-2m-in-prizes-and-to-charity-with-his-weekly-fie/1206367934851655/
  138. https://www.on3.com/news/pat-mcafee-show-cfo-reveals-massive-donation-to-charity-from-espn-field-goal-contest/
  139. https://www.si.com/college-football/how-much-money-pat-mcafee-given-away-2025-college-gameday-kicking-contest
  140. https://www.wtae.com/article/pat-mcafee-big-night-aht-pittsburgh-donations/64447151
  141. https://www.facebook.com/specialolympicspa/videos/on-wednesday-celebrities-pat-mcafee-and-shane-gillis-generously-donated-50000-ea/651697007471587/
  142. https://wvsportsnow.com/big-night-aht-event-becomes-massive-success-for-pat-mcafee-community-at-large/
  143. https://fullercenter.org/pat-mcafee-donates-100000-for-disaster-recovery-efforts/
  144. https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/pat-mcafee-mark-andrews-donate-charity-ravens-touchdown
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