Pat McAfee's Emotional On-Air Tribute to Radio Legend Who Inspired His ESPN Show

Pat McAfee showed a different side of himself on his eponymous ESPN show.

For nearly nine minutes, the former NFL punter put aside his brash, know-it-all, in-your-face approach style and showed the world a softer side that will resonate with anyone who has lost a loved one or mentor.

During Tuesday's show, McAfee wanted his millions of viewers to know why there was an addition to his desk adorned with special photos and memorabilia. The latest addition? A blue Los Angeles Dodgers cap, in honor of his friend and mentor Bob Kevoian, who died on April 17 following a years-long battle with cancer. He was 75.

McAfee revealed that he owed his career in radio and television to Kevoian, a legendary morning radio host who was immensely influential in the ESPN personality's life.

"A man who has literally been a part of every single step of my microphone talking life. A lot of people know I got my start with [The] Bob & Tom [Show]," McAfee's tribute began.

He added, "A lot of people claim to be the inspiration for this particular show. 'The Bob & Tom Show' is the inspiration for this show. And Bob was a guy who inspired me and motivated me. The first time I did stand-up, it's 'cause Bob Kevoian said you could do it. The first time I did this show, Bob Kevoian was the one who said you could do it. He wrote for me, texted me, sent me stuff, alongside [his wife] Becky. ... He was somebody that was really special to everything that I'm doing and everything that I am. I will miss the s--t out of him."

McAfee said Kevoian died as he was on his way to WrestleMania, an event he called a blur due to Kevoian's sudden decline before he died surrounded by family, who played The Beatles, his favorite band, as he took his last breath.

Kevoian was so deeply part of McAfee's life that Kevoian officiated McAfee's wedding. McAfee shared a photo of Kevoian wearing a Dodgers hat during the ceremony.

"It sucks that he's not gonna be able to watch [Dodgers superstar] Shohei [Ohtani], you know, and this team right now," McAfee added. "I know he loved experiencing everything that happened with the Dodgers."

Watch the Emotional Tribute Below

Who Was Bob Kevoian?

Kevoian and Tom Grisworld started The Bob & Tom Show in 1983, a popular morning radio show that was ultimately nationally syndicated in 1995. Kevoian retired in 2015, the same year he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.

According to the Indianapolis Star, Kevoian didn't let cancer deter him from living his life. He had planned on visiting Disney World before his health took a sudden turn for the worse.

The outlet reports that Becky and their three sons were in the room with Kevoian, playing his favorite album, Abbey Road, Side 2, when "Golden Slumbers" came on.

"Which was Bob's favorite. They were all singing it out loud," Griswold, Kevoian's longtime co-host, told The Star. "And Bob literally took his last breath when the song (was ending). It sounds like something out of a movie."

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 2:51 PM.