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Pat McAfee has long been one of the most entertaining people in sports. Sure the former Indianapolis Colts player was a punter, but, deep down, there was one helluva personality, which, at times, ended up getting him in trouble — remember that drunken arrest? Still, deep down, McAfee has shown that he’s one of the real ones, never willing to change just because he might not be PC all the time.
Unfortunately, that mentality may have hurt Pat McAfee today, because ESPN announced the updated Monday Night Football booth following the exit of Jason Witten and it didn’t include the former punter. Instead, Booger McFarland — who was part of the broadcast team last season but was rarely in the booth — will join play-by-play man Joe Tessitore this upcoming season, ending the very, very small chance that McAfee would get the nod.
ESPN just announced Joe Tessitore (play by play), Booger McFarland (analyst) and Lisa Salters (reporter) are ESPN’s NFL commentator team for Monday Night Football.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) May 1, 2019
Upon hearing the news about ESPN’s decision, Pat McAfee wasn’t too thrilled, and he voiced that disappointment by going on Twitter and absolutely ripping the “yuppies” at the Worldwide Network for not giving him a fair shake. Take a look at what McAfee had to say.
OFFICIAL #McAfeeForMNF statement after today’s decision by @ESPN: pic.twitter.com/qxFWpp8iRq
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019
My entire life, the yuppies of the world haven’t really understood or liked me… that’s completely fine, because my mom had me disliking those folks since I was a kid as well… I very much knew that when I launched the #McAfeeForMNF campaign I was putting myself out there for
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019
possible devastating disappointment. You have to remember that when I was deciding to retire from the @NFL after making another Pro Bowl, I was told by every network that they had ZERO interest in hiring me, @stoolpresidente was literally the only “exec” who saw anything in me..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019
So when we made this campaign for the job trend for 10 hours on a random Monday a month ago, I thought there was an actual chance of shaking up the bureaucratic bullshit that seems to happen often at these networks.. i got my hopes up to be honest.. and ultimately, I wasn’t green
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019
lighted for the gig. Just like all of the faux life coaches on this platform say tho, this decision will make for a much better story in the end. I will forever be grateful for you beautiful humans of the internet for having my back. The “internet guy” “stigma” that networks have
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019
labeled me with is one that I’m very proud of.. because everything on the internet is earned, not given. I’ve dedicated a lot of time in my life to this internet world and I wouldn’t change it for a thing. @espn made their #MNF broadcasting announcement today, I wasn’t a part of
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019
it, but I refuse to give up all hope in the decision makers at the TV networks. I think something rather large is around the corner, just excited 2 see where it comes from. You all are the absolute best. Thanks 4 riding this wave of life with me. We’re in this together. Cheers.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019
It’s an interesting (and honest) take by Pat McAfee, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Let’s be honest, McAfee’s sophomoric humor doesn’t mesh with everyone, but there isn’t a football fan on the planet who doesn’t think he can entertain millions. Hell, just look at his WWE-like rant during last week’s NFL Draft in Nashville when announcing one of the Colts’ selections as the most recent example.
In a media world where things are changing and there are more opportunities to express oneself on various platforms, it’s pretty disappointing that ESPN didn’t give Pat McAfee the chance to prove himself in the MNF booth. After seeing how awful the aforementioned Jason Witten was last season, maybe the network wanted to play it safe and avoid another disaster — and possible replacement again next year — going with someone in McFarland to help build a consistent broadcast team. Or maybe ESPN just didn’t want to risk Pat McAfee doing something on air that would embarrass the network, which, if that’s the case, is a terrible reason.