Indianapolis Colts

Pat McAfee Makes Surprise Retirement Announcement

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:12 p.m. ET

Fansided, Frank Sumrall/FanSided via With the First Pick

Pat McAfee shocks the football world by announcing his retirement just days before Super Bowl 51. He is 29 years old.

It’s extremely difficult for a punter to make a name for himself in the modern NFL, but Pat McAfee developed into one of the most fun, unpredictable and exciting punters in recent memory.

On and off the gridiron he made fans chuckle and grin, a rarity for special teams.

His football origin story is the stuff of legends; turning $100 into $1400 in a cryptic poker club which he cashed for a plane ticket straight to Miami to give himself one last shot. It payed off as West Virginia gambled on McAfee the same way he gambled on himself. Four years later Bill Polian gave him the opportunity of a lifetime, “Are you ready to be an Indianapolis Colt?”

It may not be the most glamorous landing spot, but he did make it to the Super Bowl in his rookie year before losing to New Orleans.

Pat McAfee ranks No. 8 all-time in punt average at 46.4 yards per punt. Four of the seven punters ahead of him played significantly less time and could leave McAfee to rise in the all-time rankings.

You can’t mention McPerfect without his onside kick trickery, including recovering his own onside kick in prime time.

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His career could be remembered more for his flair on social media; like celebrating Ryan Grigson’s firing and making fun of the league’s “random drug testing” right after laying out Trindon Holliday. McAfee’s shenanigans were topped off with his ‘Kickin’ It with Pat McAfee’ morning segment and the Pat McAfee Foundation.

The former All-Pro first team punter put on a show and reminded everyone that punters are people too. Just a few years ago casual fans struggled to name punters off of the top of their heads. But this past season hosted a punter duel between Marquette King and Mr. McPerfect. While the torch has been passed to the eccentric Oakland punter drenched in swagger, it would have been nice to witness a punter war.

After eight memorable seasons we will miss McAfee. He may not have Hall of Fame credentials but he will be remembered for his antics and off-field personality.

You can read his retirement letter named “Dear Indiana” on his twitter.