In addition to ESPN’s yearly NFL Draft coverage, the sports network will add “The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular” to its NFL Draft coverage. A first-night special telecast, “The Draft Spectacular,” will be live from Detroit, Mich.
The show will utilize its wide range of personalities and analysts to break down all 32 picks in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft while also attempting to focus on the NFL Draft experience from the fan’s perspective.
Here’s how to watch, who is commentating, and more.
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How to Watch the Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular
“The Pat McAfee Show” joined ESPN on Sept. 7, 2023, in a deal reportedly valued at $85 million over five years.
While the show airs on ESPN at noon during weekdays, “The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular” will not be featured on ESPN’s primary coverage.
While McAfee, the regular crew, and some guests will be live from Detroit for Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, it will not be on TV.
The event will be live-streamed on YouTube, ESPN+, and TikTok. Here’s how to watch:
- Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
- Live stream options: Youtube, ESPN+, TikTok, ESPN App
Who Will Be Featured on the Pat McAfee Show 2024 NFL Draft Coverage?
The man himself, Pat McAfee, will host the Draft Spectacular and be joined by his usual crew.
Highlighted by some former NFL players and an extremely high-profile guest, “The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular” will take place at the Detroit Ice Rink. Here’s a look at some of the more high-profile members of tonight’s broadcast.
Pat McAfee
After an impressive college and NFL career as a punter and kickoff specialist, McAfee turned his success into a popular sports talk show. He spent four years with the West Virginia Mountaineers before getting drafted in the seventh round by the Indianapolis Colts.
McAfee spent the entirety of his eight-year career in Indianapolis. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2014 and was a two-time Pro Bowler. McAfee owns the NFL record for the highest career net average punting yards (41.1). As of 2022, he is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After retiring from the NFL, McAfee became a football analyst for multiple networks and hosts his show. McAfee is a frequent guest on “Get Up!,” a full-time analyst on “College Gameday,” and an analyst for ESPN’s coverage of events such as the Rose Bowl, College Football Playoff, Super Bowl, and more.
A.J. Hawk
A.J. Hawk played linebacker during his football career and excelled at all levels.
A member of the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2002-05, Hawk played in 51 games and won the BCS National Championship as a freshman. Hawk earned multiple awards in his final season, including Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, the Jack Lambert Trophy, the Lombardi Award, and first-team All-Big Ten Honors.
Hawk was drafted fifth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Starting nine seasons for the Packers, Hawk was a vital piece of Green Bay’s defensive effort against in their victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl 45.
MORE: Full 2024 NFL Draft Order
Hawk would later play for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015 and appear in one game for the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 before retiring in January 2017.
Hawk broke into the sports media scene by hosting a podcast, “The HawkCast.” Later, he teamed up with McAfee on a daily YouTube show called “McAfee & Hawk Sports Talk” in 2020.
Following the show’s rapid success, he is now the co-host of “The Pat McAfee Show” and occasionally guest hosts when McAfee is unavailable.
Bill Belichick
The only announced guest for “The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular” is quite a high-profile name. Legendary NFL head coach Bill Belichick will debut as an NFL Draft analyst on tonight’s live stream.
Belichick attended Wesleyan Univesity in Middletown, Conn., where he played center and tight end. He also played squash and was his lacrosse team’s captain his senior year.
We’ve got Bill Belichick breaking down EVERY SINGLE draft pick this evening..
Tonight is gonna be MAGICAL #PMSDraftSpectacular #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/mqTZfq0ZNb
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 25, 2024
After graduating in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Belichick took a $25-per-week job as Baltimore Colts head coach Ted Marchibroda’s assistant in 1975.
He spent the next two seasons with the Detroit Lions as an assistant special teams coordinator, wide receivers coach, and tight ends coach. In 1978, he served as the Denver Broncos’ assistant special teams coach and defensive assistant.
Belichick spent the next 12 seasons with the Giants in multiple roles, finishing his stint as defensive coordinator from 1985-90.
Belichick became head coach of the Cleveland Browns, but was fired after the 1995 season. He joined the New England Patriots for a year before spending 1997-99 with the New York Jets as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
This path led to his legendary run as head coach with the Patriots starting in 2000. He led New England to six Super Bowl wins and was named AP NFL Coach of the Year three times.
Belichick holds the NFL record for most Super Bowl wins (eight), most Super Bowl appearances (12), most playoff wins as a head coach (31), and most divisional championships as a head coach (17).
Darius Butler
The final member with NFL experience is former Indianapolis Colts safety and cornerback Darius Butler.
Butler played college football at the University of Connecticut. He started all four years and was a two-year captain. He was named first-team All-Big East in 2008.
Butler was selected 41st overall by the New England Patriots in the 2009 NFL Draft. He would return an interception 91 yards for a touchdown in his rookie season.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
Butler spent two seasons with the Patriots before getting waived in 2011. He was claimed by the Panthers and appeared in 13 games before getting waived in 2012.
The Indianapolis Colts signed Butler as a free agent on Sept. 25, 2012. Butler signed a two-year extension in 2015. He would re-sign for one more year in 2017 before retiring.
Butler finished his career with 15 interceptions, four touchdowns, and nine forced fumbles. A regular guest on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Butler has his segment on Tuesdays called “Everything DB.”
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