Pat McAfee Announces Triumphant Return to ESPN’s College GameDay

After much speculation about his future with ESPN’s College GameDay, Pat McAfee announced his triumphant return Wednesday afternoon.

In typical McAfee fashion, he broke the news during a segment of his daily talk show and then a video montage of his work instantly appeared on social media.

Despite voicing his excitement about continuing with the college football staple, McAfee did address the reasons why he wasn’t sure if he should be part of the show moving forward.

I can't wait to get back on the road with the entire @CollegeGameDay crew #PMSLive https://t.co/II5altOdAK pic.twitter.com/ola2BhvFFT

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 24, 2024

“Obviously, The Athletic poll came out last year and like 50 percent were like get this guy the hell off College GameDay,” said McAfee. In the poll, 48.9% of over 3,000 respondents said they disapprove of him on the show. This is in contrast to only 30.1% saying they like him and 21% expressing being indifferent.

“I have heard you all very loud and clear since the beginning of my stint with GameDay. It’s one of the biggest reasons why I have not [re-signed] a contract with the legendary show,” McAfee wrote on X (formerly Twitter) as a response to the poll results at the time.

“I’m not right for some crowds and the ‘distinguished’ College Football folks are definitely one of those,” he added.

McAfee joined the GameDay crew on a full-time basis in September of 2022 after making some prior appearances.

“It’s an absolute honor 2 have this tweet tweeted about me. GameDay is a show that I’ve been a fan of FOREVER. DUMBEST LIFE OF ALL TIME,” said McAfee when news of his hiring was announced.

And at the end of the day, McAfee will be back on GameDay and the almost 49% will have to put up with him for another season.

Before becoming the media mogul he is today, the Plum, Pa. native served as WVU”s kicker and punter from 2005-08. In 48 career games for the Mountaineers, McAfee was 99% successful in extra point attempts while also making 73% of his 79 career field goals. McAfee left West Virginia as the program’s all-time leader in points with 384.

Pat McAfee was drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. McAfee played for the Colts until 2016, earning two Pro Bowl appearances and a First-Team All-Pro honor in 2014.