8 Things We Learned From Pat McAfee On Stephanie McMahon's WWE Show
6. McAfee Almost Played Soccer
Cue endless back and forth debates about what the "real" football is. Is it American football or what's known in the UK as 'football football'? Pat McAfee had no time for that. He was just keen on making a good living for himself and his family, but he did blossom into a talented soccer player. Incredibly, Pat had "15 times" the number of schools trying to enlist him for a soccer scholarship compared to those interested in turning him into an NFL prospect.
In the end, he decided to go with American football.
Stephanie hit the nail on the head when McAfee asked why she thought he'd make such a decision. Pat and his family realised that he'd have to move to Europe if he ever wanted to make serious money as a footballer. "I'm an American baby", he added. So, the McAfees decided it'd be best if Pat took up one of the American football offers and pursued a career in that sport instead.
McAfee would become a punter for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts years later, but he had to put some serious hours in on the practice field to improve his skills. What's more, this crucial, life-altering decision happened during his senior year at high school, so the pressure was on. What if Pat made the wrong call and could've cut it in soccer instead?
Stephanie's Places dropped a neat photo of McAfee shielding the ball on the soccer pitch. Things could've turned out rather differently for him had he been keen to move away from home. He might never have lived his WWE dreams.