Pat McAfee Shows Appreciation to Fellow WVU Legend Tavon Austin After Retirement

From one legendary Mountaineer to another, Pat McAfee offered his own thoughts about Tavon Austin retiring during a segment of his show on Wednesday.

“Congrats on a hell of a football career, Tavon. I have no idea what you’re going to do next. Tavon was obviously a super-star at West Virginia. Tavon just continued the trend of being a little bit undersized, but better at football than you,” said McAfee.

.@patmcafeeshow and the boys had to give "West Virginia SUPERSTAR" Tavon Austin his praise after his retirement announcement 👏 pic.twitter.com/c5eW63N7u7

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 14, 2024

Austin posted a statement on his Instagram account to reveal the end of his professional football career. “No matter how hard you work or how bad you want something, sometimes God has other plans. I wasn’t sure I was ready to give up football, and it has been one of the most challenging decisions I’ve ever made. But after an incredible 10 years, I am officially retiring from the NFL,” said Austin at the beginning of his retirement announcement.

“Football gave me more than a career, it gave me lifelong friendships and molded so much of my character.”

WVU Legend Tavon Austin Officially Announces Retirement

Originally drafted by the then St. Louis Rams, Austin put up strong numbers being used as a wide receiver/running back hybrid his first three seasons in the NFL, but a change in the offensive scheme when the Rams hired current head coach Sean McVay led to a disappointing 2017 season.

Austin was then traded to Dallas the following season, but only started three NFL games since leaving St. Louis. All three of those games came with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he caught 24 passes for 213 yards. He spent time on the Bills’ practice squad and joined the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks in 2023.

Austin was a star at WVU from 2009-12, accumulating 4,446 scrimmage yards throughout his four years in Morgantown. Austin’s WVU highlight tape is what he will always be remembered for from his college days. The Baltimore native was untouchable when he was in the open field. Austin scored 15 touchdowns his senior year.

Austin is WVU’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards and the only player in college football history to score a touchdown on a run, catch, punt return and kick return in the same season.

For a related story, the sports world reacted by sharing Tavon Austin highlights after learning about his retirement.

Find more coverage of Mountaineer legend Tavon Austin as he embarks on his life after football at WV Sports Now.