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There are few bigger stars in sports media today than Pat McAfee.
The former NFL punter is not only one of ESPN’s biggest personalities, but he’s also a star broadcaster on WWE Monday Night Raw.
McAfee, however, won’t be stepping back into the ring at WrestleMania in Philadelphia next month the way that he did at Royal Rumble in January. That’s because, according to him, he wouldn’t pass the company’s drug testing policy.
McAfee made the admission during a recent appearance on the All The Smoke podcast. When host Matt Barnes asked McAfee is there was “any chance we’ll see you at WrestleMania,” this was his answer:
“In Philly? I don’t know, dude,” he began. “So, I got a lot of science pumping through me right now. You know, when you retire, I said ‘hey, I want that rich guy stuff. What are these rich guys taking that I see on Instagram?’
“With my particular build, if I eat pizza four times, fat a–. Okay? Fat a–. And the football season is long. And every year I’ve gained like 50-60 pounds, since retiring. So, this year I’m like ‘I’m gonna get on the rich guy stuff that cheats and keeps me thin.’ Not as full as the Ozempic move. But I’m not against it. I will head to that route in a couple years.”
Barnes then asked whether McAfee knew the long-term consequences of what he’s taking, to which the ESPN star replied he has “not a f——- clue.”
McAfee stated that even if the drug takes years off his life, it was possible that would happen anyway.
“That being said, I don’t think I could pass any drug tests for WrestleMania,” McAfee continued. “…I’m on everything I think they’re testing for.”
McAfee previously dealt with alcohol-related substance abuse problems while in the NFL. Those eventually landed him in jail after being found by police swimming drunk in an Indianapolis canal in the early morning.
This usage sounds a little bit more under control than that. But it’s enough to keep him off the WrestleMania card, apparently.
So there you have it, wrestling fans. Sadly, it does not appear we’ll get a Pat McAfee match at this year’s Mania.