Plum native Pat McAfee to serve as ESPN college football analyst
Pat McAfee, the former All-Pro punter with the Indianapolis Colts who has been involved several years in such media ventures as a podcaster, in-studio guest for the NFL Network and an on-air personality for WWE, now will serve as a color analyst for ESPN’s Thursday night college football.
Both McAfee and ESPN confirmed Monday a multi-year contract has been signed to bring the Plum native and former West Virginia University kicker aboard.
“I’m honored to be an ‘internet guy’ who’s getting a prime time shot with a network. We’re in this together. Let’s go do the damn thing,” McAfee posted to his followers on his Twitter account.
Ladies and gentlemen... I'm the luckiest dude on earth.
Thursday nights are about to be a GREAT time on @ESPN with @Hasselbeck, @AdamAmin, and @MollyAMcGrath.
We're just getting started beautiful people... pic.twitter.com/klS64uDFqe
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 29, 2019
McAfee is set to call the games with former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and host Adam Amin.
Congrats @PatMcAfeeShow. Thursday Night @ESPNCFB with you is going to be epic! ?? pic.twitter.com/rubsQi0tQN
— Matt Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) July 29, 2019
He also will make regular appearances on ESPN’s morning show “Get Up” hosted by Mike Greenberg and Jalen Rose.
“McAfee is one of the more enjoyable personalities in the business,” said Lee Fitting, ESPN senior vice president of production, in a statement.
“First and foremost, he is an accomplished football player, having played on the biggest stages — including the Super Bowl as a Colt and the Sugar and Fiesta Bowls in college — and has been recognized as the best at his position multiple times. You combine those experiences with his charismatic nature, passionate opinions and football knowledge, he is undoubtedly another great addition to our coverage.”
Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.
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