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Former WVU kicker Pat McAfee announced his retirement from the National Football League on ComedyCentral’s Barstool Rundown late Wednesday night.
His announcement came in true McAfee fashion, including appearances by Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, Panthers tight end Greg Olsen and NFL Network insider Ian Rapaport.
Breaking News: Pro Bowl Punter @PatMcAfeeShow has retired from the NFL to join @BarstoolSports Welcome aboard Pat! pic.twitter.com/E6kPt45TDi
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 2, 2017
This could have obviously been taken as a joke, but the Colts confirmed the retirement through their Twitter account.
Can't say it enough... #ThankyouPat. pic.twitter.com/CbPrNuJR9M
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) February 2, 2017
McAfee also thanked the Indianapolis Colts fan base through his Twitter account later in the night.
Dear Indiana, pic.twitter.com/FJISS001J3
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 2, 2017
McAfee was drafted into the NFL by the Colts in 2009 late in the 7th round after starting for the Mountaineers from 2005-2008. His time at West Virginia included three 10+ win seasons.
He played all eight of his NFL seasons in Indianapolis.
McAfee started his entertainment career as a guest on The Bob & Tom Show and started a comedy tour in Indiana in 2014. He also contributed to local Colts and NFL-related short docu-films promoting his comedy.
I honestly think NFL.com’s Nick Shook has perfectly summed up this announcement from a football standpoint:
“McAfee finishes with 26,669 punting yards, 43,621 kickoff yards and 21 tackles. Unfortunately, we'll be robbed of peak punter wars between McAfee and Raiders punter Marquette King, who now assumes the throne of Coolest Punter by default.”
McAfee plans on remaining in Indianapolis where he will have a radio and TV studio.
From all of us here in West Virginia, good luck Pat! Thanks for the continued laughs!!