Pat McAfee says he considered suicide after missing two field goals in 2007 Backyard Brawl
West Virginia and Pitt renew their Backyard Brawl rivalry this weekend for the first time in over a decade. While the game may rekindle fond feelings for many fans and players, the memories are more painful for West Virginia alum Pat McAfee.
Now a multimedia star after an eight-year NFL career, McAfee still remembers the two field goals he missed in a 13-9 loss to Pitt in 2007 that knocked the Mountaineers out of contention for the BCS championship game.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, McAfee said he received death threats, his car was vandalized and he even contemplated suicide in the aftermath of the loss.
"I didn’t know if I wanted to live anymore. My life changed immediately that day," McAfee said. "It was like something out of a movie. I just drove. I got all the way to Virginia through Maryland. I was gone for a couple days. I drove, parked, slept and kept driving. I didn’t know where I was. I didn’t know where I was headed. I didn’t know what was coming next."
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McAfee finished his college career as the Big East Conference's all-time leader in extra points attempted and made, as well as the conference's career leader in punting average.
He was selected in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts and was named to two Pro Bowl teams in eight seasons.
More recently, McAfee has become an iconic media star, signing a sponsorship deal with FanDuel worth an estimated $30 million per year for his "Pat McAfee Show" and signing a multiyear extension with WWE.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline which provides confidential 24/7 support by dialing 9-8-8.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pat McAfee considered suicide after missed FGs in 2007 Backyard Brawl
