Pat McAfee's Top 5 'Magical Moments' with Colts
With ‘All-Pro’ punter Pat McAfee surprisingly retiring to pursue a career with Barstool Sports, we take a look at the former great’s ‘Top 5 Magical Moments’ as a member of the Indianapolis Colts–while shedding a few tears along the way:
Thanks for the memories, @PatMcAfeeShow. ???? pic.twitter.com/6mlPZ7JbVL
— NFL (@NFL) February 2, 2017
5. All Those ‘Booming Punts’
Listen, it would be a disservice not to mention McAfee’s consistently bombing footballs, as that was actually the All-Pro punter’s job–and something that he was truly elite at.
The NFL’s montage of memories (above) show McAfee frequently doing what he’s best at, simply ‘booming’ the football on punts. However, it doesn’t quite do him enough justice.
Let’s get something squared away here from the start, McAfee wasn’t simply a ‘gimmick’ player with an eccentric personality for the Colts, as he was the greatest punter in the franchise’s history and among the league’s best players at his position in recent memory.
Aug 20, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee (1) talks to a teammate during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
4. ’18’: No, We’re Not Talking Peyton Manning
In Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans during the 2015 regular season, the Colts desperately needed a shot in the arm–trailing the Titans 24-14 on the road.
With 8:32 left in the 3rd quarter, Pat McAfee saw a deficiency in the Titans punt return alignment and improvised, as the punter fielded the snap only to tuck the football and run 18 yards on the right side for the first down–sparking the Colts eventual 35-33 comeback victory.
????FAKE PUNT ALERT! ????@PatMcAfeeShow completes it to Swope! ???? #PITvsIND https://t.co/HT59Hv7Fhw
— NFL (@NFL) November 25, 2016
3. Punters are Passers Too
During Thanksgiving night on primetime television against the Pittsburgh Steelers this past season, McAfee fielded a 4th and 6 snap, only to complete a 35-yard pass to backup tight end Erik Swoope–showing that punters can be passers too.
The big gain finally gave the Colts some much needed life, who trailed 14-0 early in the 2nd quarter–setting up Indianapolis’ only touchdown score of the game.
It was the first completed pass of McAfee’s career (although his only other attempt was a thing of beauty that was inexplicably dropped by former backup safety Dewey McDonald).
As the emergency 3rd-string quarterback for the Colts, McAfee showed that he can actually throw the old pigskin around himself.
Not to mention, fans got to see ‘Money’ McAfee ‘strut his stuff‘ after the play.
Oct 9, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee (1) recovers his own onside kick in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2. Houston, We Have a Problem.
In Week 6 of the 2014 regular season on Thursday Night Football against the Houston Texans, Pat McAfee was once again at his best using trickery–and athleticism.
Following a successful 27-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal on the Colts opening drive, McAfee kicked an onside kick to midfield, which he, himself, recovered near the Houston center logo–as Texans special teams players simply stood around in disbelief.
The Colts ended up scoring on the extra offensive possession on a 5-yard Trent Richardson touchdown run (of all people)–taking an early 10-0 lead and ended up holding off Houston for a nail-biting 33-28 victory.
Colts punter Pat McAfee destroying Broncos' Trindon Holliday. pic.twitter.com/4K6KxoxGPU
— NFL GIF (@TheNFLGIF) June 30, 2014
1. Pat Putting the ‘Boom’ in Boomstick
In Week 13 of the 2013 regular season, and as franchise icon Peyton Manning made his much anticipated return to Indianapolis–only as a member of the Denver Broncos, Pat McAfee made one of the plays of the game.
Having taken a late 10-7 first quarter lead on an Andrew Luck touchdown pass, McAfee kicked off for the Colts, but ultimately became their last line of defense.
Specifically, speedy Broncos kick returnman Trindon Holliday zoomed past defenders along the left sideline in what initially looked like a play in which he’d assuredly go all the way to ‘the house’–with ‘just a punter’ chasing him down.
However, McAfee had other plans, as he put the ‘Boom’ in ‘Boomstick’, simply crushing Holliday along the Broncos sideline–putting him squarely on his back.
Thanks for these memories Pat, you’ll certainly be missed!
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