Pat McAfee overlooked for MNF, takes frustrations to Twitter

There was hope that former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee would have the chance to bring his eccentric personality to the national stage as a part of ESPN’s Monday Night Football crew.

Despite campaigning for the broadcast gig, McAfee was overlooked for the role and ESPN announced that Joe Tessitore, Booger McFarland and Lisa Salters will be the trio calling games on Monday night.

McAfee, who would make a wonderful color analyst, took to Twitter to vent some of his frustrations in a long thread.

OFFICIAL #McAfeeForMNF statement after today’s decision by @ESPN: pic.twitter.com/qxFWpp8iRq

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019

My entire life, the yuppies of the world haven’t really understood or liked me… that’s completely fine, because my mom had me disliking those folks since I was a kid as well… I very much knew that when I launched the #McAfeeForMNF campaign I was putting myself out there for

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019

possible devastating disappointment. You have to remember that when I was deciding to retire from the @NFL after making another Pro Bowl, I was told by every network that they had ZERO interest in hiring me, @stoolpresidente was literally the only “exec” who saw anything in me..

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019

So when we made this campaign for the job trend for 10 hours on a random Monday a month ago, I thought there was an actual chance of shaking up the bureaucratic bullshit that seems to happen often at these networks.. i got my hopes up to be honest.. and ultimately, I wasn’t green

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019

lighted for the gig. Just like all of the faux life coaches on this platform say tho, this decision will make for a much better story in the end. I will forever be grateful for you beautiful humans of the internet for having my back. The “internet guy” “stigma” that networks have

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019

labeled me with is one that I’m very proud of.. because everything on the internet is earned, not given. I’ve dedicated a lot of time in my life to this internet world and I wouldn’t change it for a thing. @espn made their #MNF broadcasting announcement today, I wasn’t a part of

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019

it, but I refuse to give up all hope in the decision makers at the TV networks. I think something rather large is around the corner, just excited 2 see where it comes from. You all are the absolute best. Thanks 4 riding this wave of life with me. We’re in this together. Cheers.

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2019

After getting terrible reviews for the Monday night crew that included Tessitore, McFarland and Jason Witten, who has since left the booth and returned to the NFL, it seems ESPN decided to stick with this group rather than taking the chance of adding McAfee, who would have provided much more personality to the booth.

Most will disagree with ESPN’s decision to not shake up the booth after the reviews they received in 2018 and especially because Colts fans know all too well how much more exciting McAfee would have made the Monday night games from a viewer’s standpoint.