Every now and then, I come across a story or a Facebook reel that really sticks with me. That happened recently when I watched Ren Baker talk about the impact Pat McAfee has had on West Virginia University. As I listened, I found myself nodding in agreement. For years, I’ve believed McAfee’s value to WVU has gone far beyond what he accomplished as a standout punter and field goal kicker. You simply can’t put a dollar figure on what he’s done for the university’s athletic programs, its national image, and the pride of Mountaineer fans everywhere. His generosity and his unwavering love for his alma mater have made him one of the greatest ambassadors WVU has ever had.

The former Mountaineer is one of the most recognizable faces connected to WVU athletics, and his impact on the university has grown far beyond the football field. McAfee’s story is exactly the type of story that makes sports special. Before he was an NFL All-Pro punter and successful broadcaster, he was a kid from Plum, Pennsylvania, chasing a dream.

McAfee’s athletic ability showed early when he won a national Punt, Pass and Kick competition. But his road to becoming a Division I athlete was not a straight path. In true McAfee fashion, there was an unusual twist. The money he received from an illegal poker game, $1,400, became the investment that helped change his life. Instead of letting that money disappear, McAfee used it to attend a kicking camp in Miami. That opportunity allowed him to showcase his talent and eventually helped him earn a Division I scholarship at West Virginia.

For those of us fortunate enough to have watched Pat McAfee play in Morgantown, the memories are still as vivid as ever. During the glory years under coaches Rich Rodriguez and Bill Stewart, McAfee wasn’t just one of the nation’s best kickers and punters, he was pure entertainment. My own kids were junior high school age at the time, and we made many trips to Morgantown from Michigan. They still smile when they remember the giant video board flashing Patrick Star and Sponge Bob after one of Pat’s booming field goals, followed by the unforgettable line, “Good one, Patrick!” It became one of those game-day traditions that made Mountaineer football special. Looking back now, it’s fitting that the same player who made fans smile on Saturdays has grown into someone who continues to make the entire Mountaineer family proud long after his playing days ended.

The Mountaineers were lucky the cards played out as they did. McAfee has kept the Mountaineers in the national conversation. His personality, passion, and platform have introduced WVU athletics to countless new fans. He has never forgotten where he came from, and his love for West Virginia is obvious every time he talks about the university. That was on full display recently when McAfee and WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez made appearances during West Virginia’s incredible run in the collegiate baseball tournament. As the Mountaineers advanced all the way to the national finals, the excitement surrounding the program was already at an all-time high and the presence of McAfee only added fuel to the fire.

That is the power of a sports legend. Sometimes former players become just a memory. Their jerseys hang in the rafters, and fans reminisce about their career highlights. Others like Pat continue to build the story.

In 2021, he pledged $1 million to WVU Medicine Children’s to support the construction of its new children’s hospital. Then, during his live broadcast from Morgantown ahead of the 2024 football season, McAfee announced another $1 million donation to the Country Roads Trust, WVU’s NIL collective. True to his character, he insisted the gift wasn’t just from him, but in honor of his teammates who helped build one of the greatest eras in Mountaineer football.

McAfee’s generosity didn’t stop there. During that same broadcast, former Mountaineer basketball standout Deuce McBride buried a long-range pregame basketball publicity shot, prompting McAfee to pay the remaining tuition for a WVU student in attendance. Throughout the show, he also surprised several fans with on-the-spot cash gifts, creating unforgettable moments that again reflected his appreciation for Mountaineer Nation.

Those moments are why Pat McAfee has become so much more than a former player. Every time he mentions West Virginia on national television, hosts his show in Morgantown, or reaches into his own pocket, he strengthens the Mountaineer brand.

From a kid in Plum, Pennsylvania, using poker winnings to chase a dream, to a WVU icon who continues to promote the university years later, Pat McAfee’s story is proof that success is not always about where you start. Sometimes it is about taking an opportunity and making the most of it. For West Virginia fans, the McAfee effect is still being felt, and let’s hope it continues for years to come.