Pat McAfee stakes bold stand for his show after being treated with insufficient respect by “middle managers” at the Scouting Combine

ESPN's host of the Pat McAfee Show faced the middle men during the NFL combine who created issues while setting up the set of the show.

Pat McAfee stakes bold stand for his show after being treated with insufficient respect by “middle managers” at the Scouting Combine

Pat McAfee (Image via IMAGO)

Pat McAfee’s rise to one of the most recognizable faces of sports entertainment has been nothing short of monumental. The former NFL punter turned host of the critically acclaimed eponymous show, the Pat McAfee Show, which simulcasts on YouTube and ESPN, on a recent episode hinted that he faced a problem from the ‘middlemen’ during the NFL scouting combine.

McAfee didn’t call out the unnamed ‘middlemen’ directly. He was much more polite the way he described the encounter.

YouTube video

No, middle management’s doing exactly what they don’t normally do. They’re making it easy. It’s awesome. Those people matter for sure. You guys are really good at your jobs! Thank God they’re there. Without them, could you imagine? Nobody would watch the NFL if it wasn’t for these people being there.

Pat McAfee said

McAfee proceeded to show off a slideshow of him measuring places inside Lucas Oil Stadium for his show. He and his team members tried to find the sweet spot to cover the combine. As a matter of fact, the McAfee show had very little presence during the combine.

We were invited by you guys to do this—by people above you. Thank you so much for making everything so easy.

Pat McAfee added

Will Pat McAfee broadcast his show from the NFL Draft?

After the ‘middlemen’ issue at the combine became public knowledge, many began speculating that Pat McAfee would skip the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin, home of the Green Bay Packers. Fans were excited to have the show’s co-host AJ Hawk, who is the all-time leading tackler for the Packers, back on home turf.

Pat McAfee stakes bold stand for his show after being treated with insufficient respect by "middle managers" at the Scouting Combine
Pat McAfee (Image via IMAGO)

McAfee shared his views later on through a recorded message. According to him, some of his words have been blown out of proportion by the media.

I don’t think I have ever said insufficient respect in my life. Now if there were a lack of respect—for sure, for sure. However, the combine and draft, two different events. I got approved to be at the combine, It was gonna be a big deal. Then few days before that, some people at that middle level who have power, wanted to flex the fact that they have power. Creating some problems. ‘I am gonna have to sign off on this. I am gonna have to see this. You can’t do this, you can’t do that…’ All bulls***. And I adhere to all of it, sight survey all by myself with tape.

Pat McAfee said

McAfee wasn’t a fan of the middlemen creating problems for him and his crew, and they thought of pulling out of the draft. However, that’s not the case. The Pat McAfee Show will cover the 2025 NFL Draft in April from Lambeau Field.

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