Pat McAfee is the kind of personality who has always thrived under the spotlight. The former NFL punter spent 8 seasons with the Colts and made two Pro Bowls. But he didn’t stop at football. Since retiring in 2017, McAfee has become a major media force through GameDay and his own show. McAfee’s influence goes far beyond his NFL fame and on-air presence. While he has earned a reputation as one of sports’ most engaging voices, his impact on TST (The Soccer Tournament) cannot be denied.

In the 2024 TST, McAfee’s team CONCAFA SC went to the quarterfinals. But one specific play in a group stage match went viral. McAfee himself went on the field and stunned fans with an assist that resulted in a goal by Mike Grella. TST 7v7 celebrated McAfee and Grella’s brilliant connection, calling it the “BEST ASSIST IN TST HISTORY” by putting up a post on Instagram. Fans are already buzzing with 2026 on the horizon. Everyone is expecting even more McAfee magic. But the ESPN star is busy sharing his own side of the story.

The post, which has since gone viral, read, “THE SETUP: Pat McAfee, THE FINISH: Mike Grella.” McAfee, after reflecting on the moment wrote, “Outside of family stuff… this is still one of the greatest moments of my life.” But he couldn’t stop his excitement just yet. He added, “HUGE for the ol’ soccer story that had a very hard, abrupt ending after high school, as I turned full life attention to kicking footballs.” So despite his football career, Pat’s passion for the game of soccer has never faded. He followed this up with a shout out to Grella.

McAfee wrote, “Shahtaht @michelegrella, a paisan I was lucky enough to share a pitch with as a young lad, with THE NASTIEST VOLLEY in TST History.” While McAfee delivered a perfect cross from the right, Grella rocketed it into the net. That brilliant setup, combined with a plus-5 goal differential, propelled their team into the knockout stage over Chad Johnson’s Nati SC. The goal quickly became one of the tournament’s biggest highlights.

Grella also didn’t waste time in giving credit where it was due. “Pat McAfee, shoutout to him for the assist because the ball to me was perfect,” said Grella on his own show on CBS Sports. McAfee’s football instincts with Grella’s soccer finesse was a show of teamwork worth watching. Now, after all of this, despite a busy schedule, McAfee never forgets his duties to his family.

Pat McAfee’s latest family celebration

Pat McAfee continues to dominate the sports world as well as social media feeds. The ex-NFL star has reinvented himself as a media heavyweight, with his ESPN show amassing nearly 3 million subscribers. From his electric commentary on GameDay to star-studded interviews, McAfee has become a household name. But outside of the studio, McAfee keeps family close to his heart.

On Thursday, he celebrated a family milestone, taking to IG to honor his parents’ 43rd wedding anniversary. The post read, “CONGRATS TO MY PARENTS.” adding, “43 years of marriage today. THANK YOU BOTH FOR EVERYTHING.” And the post not only revealed the man behind the microphone but also reflected a glimpse of a devoted son. This was not the only source of celebration for McAfee recently.

He earned a spot in the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable college career with the Mountaineers. Then on the professional front, The Pat McAfee Show keeps climbing. And as per the ESPN report, viewership increased by 29% in September. Even with all the action, McAfee is making time for family before hitting the road with ESPN College GameDay.