Former Indianapolis Colts punter and current sports personality Pat McAfee didn’t hold back after watching his former team’s playoff hopes vanish in a 45-33 loss to the New York Giants. The defeat, marked by turnovers and defensive lapses, sealed the Colts’ fate, dropping them to 7-9 and out of postseason contention.
In a fiery post on X, McAfee criticized the Colts‘ organization for its perceived lack of professionalism and accountability.
“A blind person could see the red flags on this team,” McAfee began, pointing out issues ranging from work ethic and preparation to punctuality for meetings and treatment sessions.
McAfee highlighted a moment involving franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson as emblematic of the team’s deeper problems. Richardson reportedly tapped out of a game during a critical third-down situation in the red zone due to fatigue, an act McAfee called unprecedented in NFL history.
“That’s literally the only thing you need to tell someone (who knows ball) and they could tell you everything about this team,” McAfee wrote. He added that such an incident would immediately signal to experienced players and coaches that the team had “no chance.”
Personal and professional frustrations
McAfee’s frustration extended beyond the field. He claimed that Colts fans and media outlets attacked him for criticizing the team’s direction, particularly his suggestion that veteran quarterback Joe Flacco might offer a better chance to win than Richardson after the controversial tap-out.
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“Colts blogs and fans who have been covering the Colts since 2020 and more recent knew better than everybody… Started personally attacking me and trying to kick me out of town,” he wrote.
McAfee tied Richardson’s actions to broader cultural issues within the organization, describing a “loser attitude radiating through a building that was built by greats.”
Reflecting on the team’s decline
The former punter, a three-time Pro Bowl nominee and Hall of Fame candidate, expressed disappointment over what he sees as a wasted opportunity for a franchise with a storied history. He lamented the team’s unwarranted arrogance and lack of professionalism, calling it a stark contrast to the culture established by Colts legends.
“As someone who has actively, daily, attempted to be an additive to this beautiful city, I hope they become a good franchise again,” McAfee wrote. “The OGs in the Colts building deserve it… but the players/coaches in that building deserve whatever happens to them.”