There’s never really a “normal” birthday when you’re Pat McAfee. Whether it’s a surprise appearance of his daughter on the set, or his crew celebrating his birthday live on air. But last year was peak McAfee madness—when he took things to a whole new level. Teaming up with Peyton Manning for an episode of ESPN’s “Peyton’s Places,” McAfee was literally carried onto the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in a coffin.
Yeah, a coffin. “I will punt your football into this coffin,” he declared, and honestly, the follow-through was even wilder. He wasn’t just goofing around either—this was during a full-on ESPN segment with Peyton Manning. The whole thing was tied to “Peyton’s Places,” but for Pat, it doubled as a birthday bash with undead theatrics.
“A punter with the swagger of a linebacker… Happy Birthday @PatMcAfeeShow!” captioned Manning’s Omaha Productions. It was that crazy birthday celebration for McAfee. Fast forward to now, and McAfee is now celebrating his 38th birthday, but this one took a different turn. Instead of theatrics, he shared a raw, introspective message on social media, opening up about the emotional weight of it all and that maybe, just maybe, sounds like the retirement days are near.
“Hello beautiful people.. Thank you for following along for another trip around the sun for me… I’m wildly grateful for it all,” McAfee, 38, wrote on his social media handle. “I’m very lucky that I get to work a lot.. there will be a time where nobody wants my services or my presence, I very much understand that.. that time might be sooner (I know there’s folks hoping for that), it might not be for a bit (hell yeah to the folks who ride with us).. I try to enjoy it all..”
Well, when you zoom out a bit, it feels like a man eyeing the exit—not in a dramatic way, but more like someone who’s thinking about the next chapter. He’s juggling ESPN, WWE, his own show, and from what it looks like, he is not ready to stop yet.
But McAfee’s birthday message isn’t just about aging or the day when he’ll call it a career as a sports analyst for ESPN as well. Oh no. In fact, the 38-year-old NFL legend has been candid about the highs and lows of his career. Take the last few months, for instance. McAfee, known for his unfiltered commentary and dynamic presence on ESPN, has been a part of certain controversies.
Whether facing backlash for his comments on Caitlin Clark or his remarks made during the WWE Elimination Chamber event in Toronto, McAfee had a fair share of media coverage—and not for good reasons. But the silver lining in his career? He is not ready to bow out. Pat is acknowledging every aspect of his career and life, especially after the birth of his daughter.
Pat McAfee hopes to live forever for his daughter
If there is anything that transformed Pat McAfee’s perspective, then it’s absolutely fatherhood, after the birth of his daughter, Mackenzie, in 2023, who’s been a significant turning point in McAfee’s life. “I never envisioned myself as a father. I always thought I’d die alone after a short chaotic life.. now, I obviously understand that I would’ve never felt complete without meeting our baby girl Mackenzie last May 4th,” McAfee said last year while celebrating father’s day.
Now that he turned 38 this year, McAfee acknowledged that he wants to live forever for his daughter. He further wrote in his birthday post, “We have no idea what’s gonna happen at anytime to any of us,” he continued. “I’ve lost so many friends and people close to me that every age change for me is a bit of an emotional experience. I never thought I’d still be alive at 38… now, with my daughter, I’m hoping to live forever and hopefully I’ll be able to instill in her that you’re allowed to appreciate every moment of having breath.”
You see, Pat McAfee’s journey to become a friend was filled with hurdles. He and his wife, Samantha, went through a lot, including miscarriages and medical complications. But when their daughter was born back in May 2023, everything changed for the couple. Pat and Samantha have been soaking up every moment since, and let’s just say… the couple is grateful to be parents finally.
“Thank you all so much for everything. You have no idea what your words mean to me. CHEERS to being an old f**k,” McAfee concluded his post. That said, whether Pat McAfee will consider retirement or not amidst the highs and lows in his career, it’s too early to predict. But for the time being, it’s safe to say the 38-year-old NFL legend is embracing his life with his family.
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