Sports have incessantly brought people close. In some cases, so close that the proximity turns into a lifelong vow. For ESPN broadcaster and Former NFL punter Pat McAfee, that is exactly what transpired. As a member of the Indianapolis Colts from ‘09 to ‘16, McAfee gained a lot in Indy. But the one thing he’ll be most grateful for in the city is that it will become the backdrop for his meeting his now-wife Samantha. A marriage which bore him their daughter Mackenzie, whom they treated to the day of her life. 

Such is the nature of his job that McAfee hasn’t quite been able to spend enough time with his family through his media escapades. Now that the football season has ceased, it was time to take a well-earned vacation. Seeing the world through the eyes of your child is a feeling paralleled by few things, if any. So, what better trip to take with your infant daughter than Disneyland? The McAfee clan was posted up in Orlando and took to IG to share a montage of their weekend down in Orlando. An experience that Pat proclaims got him all teary-eyed

“Happiest place on earth indeed. It was magical watching Mackenzie dance her way through Disney. ✨👑” wrote Samantha McAfee (née Ludy), alongside a video of their trip. Throughout the post, 15-month-old Mackenzie can be seen euphoric and bubbling with joy meeting ol’ Mickey Mouse and all the rest of the attractions. Goes without saying that Pat McAfee pulled no punches and went all-out, from flying private to the best accommodation. Working for a Disney-owned entity in ESPN sure must’ve helped cut the queues!

Interestingly, the ESPN employee isn’t actually a fan of the iconic characters. He owned up to this, as well as his feelings for Samantha and Mackenzie, in the comments section of the aforementioned IG post. “I didn’t know a lot of what was going on with the Disney characters BUT.. I had the greatest time watching you girls. Tears of joy numerous times.. SO DAMN PROUD OF OUR BABY GIRL’S MOXIE. 🗣 I LOVE YINZ” wrote Pat McAfee. As someone who’s on the road week in and week out, this down time has got to be special. Well, great he enjoyed it because McAfee will be back polarizing audiences nationwide soon.

“The Pat McAfee Show” has been on hiatus since the Super Bowl. The masses need their fix of entertainment, but the namesake also needs his fix of family time. But normality resumes soon. You can’t keep McAfee away from the game too long after all. He’s back at the first sight of a pigskin as the football season prepares for its opening domino.

ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” returns for the 2025 season from a befitting location

While football weekends remain vacant, a couple of ancillary offshoots help fill the air. Whether you’re a College Football traditionalist or someone embracing its modernization, the transfer portal at least provides a spark between January and the fall. But most programs have concluded their business, and National Signing Day is also past us. The recruitment cycle is all but over, and there ain’t much ahead of spring football. The drama never ceases, though. 

The NFL Draft fever takes over now, and it penetrates through to both rungs of the ladder. CFB fans are captivated by seeing players they saw develop from high school kids into professional adults. NFL fans get a taste of what’s to come. Storylines are aplenty on both sides, and they finally converge. The first official step of the process is upon us- the Draft Combine.

Speaking of traditions, the Combine will be held in Indy as it has every year since 1987. Pat McAfee, an adopted son of the city, will befittingly resume his show from the Combine. 26th February will be the first telecast of the 2025 season. Heading back to Lucas Oil Stadium is bound to make the emotions run for Colts’ cult legend Pat McAfee. Ironically, It’s kind of like his own Disneyland trip! Samantha and MacKenzie will continue to permeate their love as McAfee does what he does best. Entertain a national audience with his eccentricity meshed with some cogent analysis.