Pat McAfee Calls Out The Suits And Champions Hard Work In First LinkedIn Post

LinkedIn can be a pretty obnoxious place. It’s a playground for constant self-promotion, bragging, and much ado about nothing. The oversharing, back-patting, constant judging, and jealousy make it unbearable. Not to mention the armchair quarterbacking, sucking up to bigger fish in the business food chain, and corporate jargon, all topped off with overzealous and smug self-congratulation.

Anyone with a career in tech, marketing, communications, or media knows how nauseating it can be. It’s a necessary evil for many—a platform people feel compelled to participate in to boost their careers and climb the corporate ladder. But let’s face it, sometimes it’s just a gross place

But sometimes, because of all that, it’s often highly entertaining, even when it makes you cringe.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, while most were grilling burgers and watching fireworks, Pat McAfee made a splash on LinkedIn. In his first post on the career-oriented social network, McAfee, ever the football and WWE provocateur, grabbed the attention of entrepreneurs and the gritty, hardworking individuals who’ve had to grind for their success.

Pat McAfee, the former Indiapolis Colts kicker and current ESPN personality, didn’t shy away from calling out the platform’s dominant demographic—the managerial class. In specific, McAfee called out “the suits”, admitting he was “very new to this super suit social gathering platform”.

Calling Out the Corporate Suits

McAfee’s biting commentary on corporate culture was perfectly timed and officially announced on his X account.

As the rest of us were enjoying our well-earned summert downtime, LinkedIn’s most addicted users—aka the suits—were likely scrolling through their feeds from beach houses and vacation rentals, hunting for the next networking opportunity or thought leadership piece when they should have been focused on enjoying their time off.

McAfee, ever the provocateur, referred to them as “suits,” a term loaded with his disdain for the managerial types who pontificate from their office chairs but seldom get their hands dirty. “I’m very new to this super suit social gathering platform but… I can already tell not enough folks are telling the truth,” he wrote. And just like that, McAfee cut through the noise, reminding everyone that genuine success hinges on relentless work ethic, not just corporate maneuvering.

The Grind Is The Game

This dynamic between McAfee and the suits isn’t new. In a recent interview with The Athletic, ESPN executive Burke Magnus discussed McAfee’s unique position within the sports media landscape. Unlike the polished and rehearsed demeanor of many sports commentators, McAfee brings an authentic, unfiltered voice that resonates with a younger audience. Magnus noted, “He is the voice of the younger generation from a sports fan perspective. He books guests like nobody else in the business right now.”

Magnus also noted he expects McAfee to be there on “College GameDay” this upcoming college football season.

McAfee’s frankness on LinkedIn echoed this sentiment.

McAfee didn’t sugarcoat his message: “Unless you were born into a wealthy family or marry into a successful family business, the only thing that matters is if you have a great work ethic. YOU HAVE NO CHANCE for success in anything in this life if you don’t work hard. You can accomplish anything if you’re willing to work your *** off and buy in.”

For a platform that often glorifies the managerial elite, McAfee’s words were a stark reminder that true grit and dedication are the real keys to success.

Here’s the post in full via LinkedIn:

I’m very new to this super suit social gathering platform but.. I can already tell not enough folks are telling the truth. Unless you were born into a wealthy family or marry into a successful family business, the only thing that matters is if you have a great work ethic. YOU HAVE NO CHANCE for success in anything in this life if you don’t work hard. You can accomplish anything if you’re willing to work your ass off and buy in.. Good luck future Suits.

McAfee’s LinkedIn debut was like a cannonball into a corporate pool, and the splash all over the suits during their 4th of July weekend was epic. The comments section quickly turned into a a pep rally of support, with fans and followers pouring in their praise, humor, and a bit of witty commentary.

Voices of Support and Reality Checks

Andrew Abony, CEO and co-founder of Adbloom, practically shouted from the digital rooftops, “Say it louder 📢.” Meanwhile, Jake Fleshner of The Nucleus Network kept it short and sweet with “Legend.” It’s clear McAfee’s no-nonsense approach hit home for many.

Doug Ellis shared a heartwarming tale about his boomer dad’s admiration for McAfee: “One of the reasons my dad, a ‘boomer,’ loves you and your show. He’s told me on a few occasions that the work ethic you have is inspiring and refreshing. He and his wife recently trekked out to Colorado to visit my sister but not without stopping to pay homage to the Thunderdome. Your work, you and your team, is a bright light right now, so please keep putting it dahn and staying true. From one DAWG to another; let’s keep making a difference every day!”

Paul Bias chimed in with a dose of reality: “I submit that just working hard doesn’t always get you where you want to go… Making connections and who you know is always a plus…”

Jak Hellard lauded McAfee’s relentless work ethic: “Well said by a man who clearly works his butt off, kicked a ball every day growing up to become an NFL punter, started his TV show on YouTube that has been so successful it led to it being licensed by ESPN, does College GameDay on Saturday and does double duty on Mondays with his show and Commentary for WWE. Needle mover!”

Alex Boonstra added, “Need more people like you, Pat. Very hard out here even as the most qualified—it’s mostly about who you know in this world.”

And then there’s the inspiring note from Adam G. Khanboubi: “You are the greatest! You’ve inspired me to excel in my creative endeavors, which is quite remarkable for a scientist and soon-to-be doctor to find time for. But I did it, and it allowed me to amass a huge following on TikTok. Thank you so much for the inspiration.”

Pat McAfee’s first LinkedIn post wasn’t just a statement; it was a call to action on a Sunday with a mega dose of the Sunday scaries, a rallying cry for the grinders and hustlers. As you can see from above, the reactions were as varied and vibrant as his audience, proving once again that McAfee has struck a nerve as a voice that defies traditional corporate norms.

McAfee ends with a signoff: “Good luck, future suits.”

In a world where authenticity is the playbook that wins the game, you’re clearly going to need it.