Just one day before the 2024 WVU Spring Game took place, it was announced that both Pat McAfee and Pat White would be making their returns to Morgantown and participate as coaches in the game.
“I’m very, very thankful for Pat White, and Pat McAfee coming back,” said Head Coach Neal Brown. “Blaine (Stewart) definitely played a role in getting them back and wanted to do something where they could be around our players,” said Brown.
McAfee and White both played at WVU from 2005-2008, before starting to embark on very separate journeys. White would go on to have a short lived NFL career before getting into coaching, where he now serves as an offensive assistant for the Los Angeles Chargers.
McAfee would go on to have an eight year long NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts where he served as a punter and placekicker. Following his retirement in 2016, McAfee would embark onto a journey within tv, where his show “The Pat McAfee Show,” is broadcasted on ESPN Monday-Friday. McAfee also serves as a commentator for WWE Monday Night Raw, as well as being a member of the ESPN College Gameday crew.
Pat White served as a coach for the blue team, while McAfee joined the gold team. In an interview during the game, McAfee jokingly accused Pat White’s team of cheating and then called for WVU to retire Pat White’s number 5.
Neal Brown had something to say about both former players coming back. When talking about Pat White, Brown said “Pat White’s been coaching and so, he’s been tied up and he hasn’t had an opportunity to get back. So, to get him back here and kind of reintroduce him to our players. I think them watching him and understand it man, like what a special talent he was.”
As for McAfee, Brown praised him in saying he’s the most recognizable face with associated with West Virginia right now.
“Pat McAfee who’s probably the most recognizable face that’s associated with West Virginia right now. And I thought it was important to be in a situation where he could be around our players, and it wasn’t something that we wanted to over promote or anything like that. It just wanted to get him back around the football program. So, very appreciative of them. That added something our guys were excited about that, and our fans were,” said Brown.
