The Indianapolis Colts have seen plenty of punters come and go throughout the years.
However, there is one special player with a personality and ability like no other that Colts fans will always remember.
That player is seventh-round draft pick Pat McAfee, who earned the highest-graded punter of the decade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Pat McAfee: Punter of the decade pic.twitter.com/812KxLoTUI
— PFF (@PFF) May 15, 2020
The fan-favorite punter was rated as the best punter from 2009-2019.
However, New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morestead and Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker were closely behind McAfee.
He is well-deserving of this honor and recognition after what McAfee has done on the field for Indy.
McAfee’s Career
The Colts selected McAfee during the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
He earned two Pro Bowl selections during the course of his eight-year career with the Colts.
McAfee also received a First-Time All-Pro selection during the 2014 season in Indy.
During his Colts career, McAfee played all 16 games each season for eight straight seasons before he retired.
McAfee had 575 career punts, 193 of them were downed inside the 20-yard line.
He averaged 46.4 yards per punt during his career, which is incredible and seems like something you could only do in video games.
He also averaged a career-high 49.4 per punt during his final season in 2016.
During his 575 punts, McAfee was only blocked four times throughout his career.
McAfee was a truly special player at the punter position, but sadly was unable to win a Super Bowl during his career.
Where is McAfee Now?
After the 2016 season, McAfee decided to retire from football and pursue a career in comedy.
He signed a $14.5 million deal during the 2014 offseason, so he walked away from nearly $6 million.
McAfee had three knee surgeries during three of his last four seasons, so he decided it was taking too much of a toll on his body.
He left football for a gig at BarStool Sports, but that didn’t last too long.
My time at @barstoolsports will be one I reflect upon fondly. Sometimes adult stuff gets in the way. I’m officially a free agent. pic.twitter.com/ON5KwnFzjc
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 31, 2018
McAfee is now part of ESPN’s Thursday Night College Football team as of July 2019.
He also launched a multiyear deal with DAZN and Westwood One Radio for a daily two-hour show set.
McAfee did have a tryout as the field goal kicker for the Chicago Bears, but it didn’t go as planned for him.
After the tryout, McAfee said his knee got swollen and he realized that his football career was over.
However, it’s not all bad, as McAfee appears to be happy with his new career choice.
Who Punts for Indy Now?
It has been quite some time since McAfee has punted a ball in Indy.
However, the Colts have rebounded nicely and hopefully found a reliable replacement.
25-year-old Rigoberto Sanchez has been the punter for the Colts over the last three seasons.
It is always tough to replace one of the best punters in the game, but Indy has a good option in Sanchez.
Over the last three seasons with Indy, Sanchez has an average 45.1 yards per punt.
He has only been blocked once during 200 punts over the course of his career.
McAfee will always be remembered as a fan-favorite, but the Colts are in good hands with Sanchez at the punter position.
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