Pat McAfee Taking Leave of Absence From WWE
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Pat McAfee has opened up in detail about his ongoing hiatus from the WWE Raw commentary desk. The popular media personality and former NFL star confirmed on his show this week that he was suffering from serious mental and physical exhaustion.
McAfee has been absent from WWE programming since the June 9th edition of Monday Night Raw. On his Wednesday show, he admitted to a guest that he "hit a wall" and got "real tired" from his relentless schedule.
Hitting The Wall
McAfee detailed a grueling travel schedule that led to his burnout. He described a recent non-stop sequence that took him from the East Coast for his soccer club, to Parris Island, South Carolina, and then to Los Angeles for WWE's Money in the Bank event.
"I could just feel it. I'm like, 'Oh my god, my brain is not operating right now,'" McAfee explained (H/T to WrestlingNews.co). "I knew this moment was coming... as Money in the Bank was happening, I was like, 'Oh my god, this is it, I've finally hit it.'"
He credited WWE President Nick Khan for being understanding and helping him step away from his commitments to prioritize his health.
From The Gridiron To The Announce Desk
Pat McAfee's journey in WWE has been a unique one. After a successful career as an All-Pro punter in the NFL, he transitioned to the world of sports media before dipping his toes into professional wrestling.
Mcafee first impressed audiences with an acclaimed in-ring run in NXT, where he had a memorable feud with Adam Cole and competed in a WarGames match.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JANUARY 28: Pat McAfee is introduced prior to the WWE Royal Rumble at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JANUARY 28: Pat McAfee is introduced prior to the WWE Royal Rumble at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.
Alex BierensMore news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation
McAfee later found his home at the announce desk, first on SmackDown and then on Raw, alongside Michael Cole. His infectious energy, genuine excitement, and athletic background brought a unique flavor to the broadcast that was praised by many fans.
However, the demanding schedule of a weekly WWE announcer, which involves constant travel, combined with his other commitments, eventually took its toll.
A Much-Needed Break
McAfee was candid about the relief he has felt since stepping away. The weekly Raw travel required him to take "two planes and a two-hour sleep night," and removing that from his schedule has been a huge benefit. "Stack a couple of weeks, I feel like a human again," he said.
While he stated that he will "always love the WWE" and misses it, a return does not seem imminent. His work with ESPN's College GameDay is set to begin in late August.
"I was eyeing football season around the corner and I was, like, 'I don't know if I'm gonna be able to survive this thing,'" McAfee explained.
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