Pat McAfee was on ESPN this week, doing something you just don’t see on air in 2026: he set something down on his desk that was still smoking. And yeah, it stood out. That moment is just another sign that McAfee plays by a totally different rulebook at ESPN, a fact that has apparently stopped surprising former NFL star LeSean McCoy.
A Kicker Running the Show? McCoy Spills the Beans
McCoy didn’t mince words after seeing McAfee’s latest on-air moment. He straight-up proclaimed McAfee the second most powerful person in America, right behind Donald Trump. Yeah, I know it sounds like an exaggeration, but McCoy lays out a pretty solid case, all while making sure we remember we’re talking about a former *kicker* here. Think about that for a second.
On his podcast, McCoy explained, “Pat is a kicker, bro. Pat gets done kickin’ and he’s more popular than any quarterback that’s retired other than Tom Brady, for one.” He kept going, “For two is, he is probably the most powerful person other than Donald Trump. He the only dude that I know that can smoke weed on his show and nothing happens. Call out his boss and then get a raise. He can do whatever he want. So listen, I’m a fan of Pat. I’ve always been a fan of Pat, bro. The stuff he’s doing right now, nobody’s done. He’s great on TV. Great personality. Imagine a kicker doing these type of things. I root for Pat. Like I said before, ain’t nobody more powerful than him, other than the president.”
Beyond the Smoke: Where McAfee’s Real Power Kicks In
It’s easy to laugh off McCoy’s take as just a hot take, but when you look at the evidence, he might actually be on to something. It’s not just about what he can get away with on live TV, it’s about who turns to him when big stuff needs to happen. Who did they call when the “Protect College Sports Act” needed a push? Pat McAfee. Who did Donald Trump tap for publicity for that “made-up athletic competition”? You guessed it, the guy with the country rap album who is front and center on the pregame shows for *both* college football and professional football. So yeah, maybe there are people with more official power in the country, but if you’re tuned into ESPN, it’s pretty hard to tell the difference. He’s basically untouchable, and his reach is insane.
McCoy’s words resonate, don’t they? What’s next for McAfee? Probably more of the same, pushing boundaries and flexing that unique power he’s built. He’s carved out a lane nobody else seems to touch, and it looks like he’s just getting started. It’s wild to watch, and you gotta wonder just how far this “kicker” can take it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply