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Pat McAfee is a former All-Pro NFL punter who retired at 29, leaving $6M on the table to create content online.
The part you didn't know?
It all started with a $100 bet.
This is his wild story.
Time for a thread
The part you didn't know?
It all started with a $100 bet.
This is his wild story.
Time for a thread
1) Let's start in 2004...
@PatMcAfeeShow, a senior in high school, received an invitation to a kicking competition in Miami where 100 college scouts would be in attendance.
The only problem?
He couldn't afford the $1,500 in travel costs.
@PatMcAfeeShow, a senior in high school, received an invitation to a kicking competition in Miami where 100 college scouts would be in attendance.
The only problem?
He couldn't afford the $1,500 in travel costs.
2) With a verbal commitment to Kent St. already in place, @PatMcAfeeShow's parents told him to forget about the camp in Miami.
Spoiler Alert...
He didn't.
What happened next is straight out of a movie.
Spoiler Alert...
He didn't.
What happened next is straight out of a movie.
3) With no cash to pay for his trip to Miami, @PatMcAfeeShow quite literally "bet on himself."
McAfee borrowed $100 from a friend and entered a poker tournament against grown men in the basement of an Italian restaurant in Pittsburgh.
The best part?
He won, taking home $1,400.
McAfee borrowed $100 from a friend and entered a poker tournament against grown men in the basement of an Italian restaurant in Pittsburgh.
The best part?
He won, taking home $1,400.
4) After winning the cash necessary to attend camp in Miami, @PatMcAfeeShow impressed coaches with his leg.
McAfee made 9 consecutive field goals, starting at 25 yards & moving 5 yards out each time until he reached 65.
"The next morning, I got an offer from West Virginia."
McAfee made 9 consecutive field goals, starting at 25 yards & moving 5 yards out each time until he reached 65.
"The next morning, I got an offer from West Virginia."
5) From 2005 to 2008, Pat McAfee did everything at West Virginia, handling kickoffs, field goals & punting.
— Made 58 field goals
— Made 74% of attempts
— 3rd most field goals in WVU history
Next up?
The NFL Draft, where the Indianapolis Colts selected him with the 222nd pick.
— Made 58 field goals
— Made 74% of attempts
— 3rd most field goals in WVU history
Next up?
The NFL Draft, where the Indianapolis Colts selected him with the 222nd pick.
6) During his 8-year career with the Colts, Pat McAfee became one of the best punters in the NFL.
— 2x Pro Bowl
— 1st team All-Pro
— Punter of the Decade
The interesting part?
In 2017, at the age of 29, McAfee retired with $6M left on his contract for a job at Barstool Sports.
— 2x Pro Bowl
— 1st team All-Pro
— Punter of the Decade
The interesting part?
In 2017, at the age of 29, McAfee retired with $6M left on his contract for a job at Barstool Sports.
7) While the move is applauded today, people seem to forget how unpopular McAfee's decision was.
Here's a tweet from 2017:
"McAfee with the biggest L of 2017...Leaving the NFL, getting paid $2.5M/year to PUNT, to be a writer at Barstool Sports...I repeat, L"
And Mike Wilbon...
Here's a tweet from 2017:
"McAfee with the biggest L of 2017...Leaving the NFL, getting paid $2.5M/year to PUNT, to be a writer at Barstool Sports...I repeat, L"
And Mike Wilbon...
8) While Twitter trolls & media members couldn't believe his decision, Pat McAfee was confident.
When he retired, McAfee had 700k followers, sold t-shirts online, completed a comedy tour & hosted a radio show.
Simply put, he used the NFL as a platform to build a personal brand.
When he retired, McAfee had 700k followers, sold t-shirts online, completed a comedy tour & hosted a radio show.
Simply put, he used the NFL as a platform to build a personal brand.
9) Pat McAfee now hosts a daily show on YouTube that is watched by 50k+ people concurrently.
The best part?
FanDuel "backed the Brinks truck up," becoming the show's exclusive sports betting partner.
Even better?
McAfee's media company is now worth more than his NFL contract.
The best part?
FanDuel "backed the Brinks truck up," becoming the show's exclusive sports betting partner.
Even better?
McAfee's media company is now worth more than his NFL contract.
10) In the end, I love this story for one simple reason:
Between gambling $100 for a flight to Miami & walking away from a $6M contract, Pat McAfee has consistently challenged conventional wisdom.
He bet on himself, dismissed the haters & had fun doing it.
Now that's awesome.
Between gambling $100 for a flight to Miami & walking away from a $6M contract, Pat McAfee has consistently challenged conventional wisdom.
He bet on himself, dismissed the haters & had fun doing it.
Now that's awesome.
11) If you enjoyed this thread, you should:
1. Follow me; I tweet cool stories like this every day.
2. Subscribe to my free daily newsletter, where I give a detailed analysis on topics involving the money and business behind sports. https://huddleup.substack.com
1. Follow me; I tweet cool stories like this every day.
2. Subscribe to my free daily newsletter, where I give a detailed analysis on topics involving the money and business behind sports. https://huddleup.substack.com
Also, don't forget @AthleticBrewing is the reason I'm able to create sports business content full-time.
If you want to support me, buy some beer - it's really great stuff.
Use code "JOE25" for 25% off at http://athleticbrewing.com
If you want to support me, buy some beer - it's really great stuff.
Use code "JOE25" for 25% off at http://athleticbrewing.com
