After negative reviews and some controversy, it appeared college football fans had seen the last of Pat McAfee on Saturdays. Yet, he pulled a John Cena at the 2008 Royal Rumble, returning to the ring for another go-round.
College GameDay Welcomes Back Pat McAfee
McAfee announced his return to College GameDay on social media, saying in the video, “I’m lucky, I’m honored, I’m humble, I’m grateful, and I’m back. I can’t wait for Dublin on Aug. 24. Let’s have the greatest year of football in the history of college football. Hell yeah.”
The former NFL punter also spoke about the move on The Pat McAfee Show:
“It is officially official. I am returning to College GameDay, and although I don’t want to make a big deal out of it, I know it is a big f***ing deal.
“To the college football fans: Thank you for embracing me and my stupidity. I can’t wait to get back on the road with the entire crew on Saturdays throughout the fall.”
McAfee first joined the esteemed college football pre-game show as a guest analyst in 2019 before earning a full-time promotion for the 2022 season. However, The Athletic conducted a poll last season, with its “most polarizing question of the survey” asking, “How do you feel about Pat McAfee on ‘College GameDay’?”
There were over 3,100 responses, and the results were eye-opening:
- Like it: 30.1%
- Don’t like it: 48.9%
- No opinion: 21%
Clearly, McAfee’s bombastic personality rubbed the majority of responders the wrong way, and many college football fans shared the sentiment.
Last October, McAfee acknowledged the criticism, posting, “I have heard you all very loud and clear since the beginning of my stint with GameDay. It’s one of the biggest reasons why I have not (re-signed) a contract with the legendary show. I’m not right for some crowds, and the ‘distinguished’ College Football folks are definitely one of those.
“It’s been an absolute blast and an honor to be at that desk and to work with the fine folks of that family. … It’s also been really fun to work seven days a week for the last 2 football seasons.”
Then, during an appearance on McAfee’s show in December, GameDay veteran Kirk Herbstreit put his job on the line for his co-host.
“I’m just going to say this right now,” he said. “If you dare even think of leaving ‘College GameDay,’ I’m leaving with you. I am. I am. I’m dead serious. …
“I’m not kissing your a**. I’m not just telling you that — and I told you this a lot — that you’ve changed my experience. I work really hard with these three projects I’m on. I’m on GameDay, the Thursday night game with Al (Michaels), and Saturday with Chris (Fowler). You’ve really changed the approach, the energy, not just on the set, but like the week. I’m having a blast. … It’s like being on a team where you get good energy.”
KEEP READING: Saban Says the SEC has 6-7 Playoff Teams in 2024
Herbstreit isn’t leaving, and neither is McAfee. They’ll return with Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who debuted on the show during the 2024 NFL Draft in April after announcing his retirement from coaching in January.
The flagship show will travel to Dublin, Ireland, in Week 0 for Florida State’s ACC clash with Georgia Tech on Aug. 24. In Week 1, the show will appear in College Station for Texas A&M’s high-stakes battle with Notre Dame.
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