NFL legend takes a hit of a weed pen on LIVE ESPN Show
During the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy made a guest appearance on Pat McAfee’s live draft show – and the duo ended up creating a viral moment. In a lively on-set exchange, McAfee took a puff from a CBD/vitamin vape tossed to him by a fan, offered it to McCarthy (who politely refused with a smile), and continued the show with laughs all around. Beyond the on-air fun, McCarthy used the appearance to express heartfelt appreciation for the Cowboys organization and even predict a bright season ahead for Dallas. The professional-but-fun interaction had fans buzzing on social media and highlighted McCarthy’s class as well as McAfee’s trademark spontaneity.
A Viral CBD Vape Moment on Live TV
The viral moment unfolded when an enthusiastic fan in the Green Bay draft crowd threw a vape pen onto the stage where Pat McAfee was broadcasting. Never one to shy away from some on-air theatrics, McAfee picked up the unexpected “gift,” gave it a quick wipe, and took a hearty puff as the audience roared in approval. As he exhaled a cloud of vapor, McAfee jokingly offered the vape pen to his guest, former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy laughed and waved off the offer, politely declining to join in the impromptu smoke session. The jovial coach grinned at the stunt but made it clear he’d sit that one out, prompting McAfee to playfully toss the pen back into the crowd and carry on with the show. The live audience ate it up – “a loud cheer erupted” as McAfee hammed it up, and even the typically serious McCarthy couldn’t help but smile at the absurdity.
Buddy sent me this video. Lol. 😂
— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) April 25, 2025
Pat McAfee just wildn’ here in Green Bay for the #NFLDraft. Former #Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy wanted no part of it. pic.twitter.com/wy9ThMAakx
This tongue-in-cheek episode quickly went viral online after a local reporter, Kyle Malzhan, shared video of the exchange on social media. Fans across the internet reacted with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Many found it hilarious and very on-brand for McAfee – the former NFL punter turned media personality is “known for providing the internet with golden viral content” – while others were surprised to see such a carefree, unconventional moment on an ESPN draft broadcast. McAfee’s carefree vibe (no pun intended) clearly shone through. “Do your thing, Pat. Do your thing. It’s 2025, and I’m certainly not going to judge,” one outlet quipped, noting that the internet “absolutely loved the moment”.
Amid the buzz, McAfee himself chimed in to clear the air (literally). Responding to speculation about what exactly he was inhaling, McAfee later clarified on X (Twitter) that it wasn’t anything illicit. “To my understanding… This was CBD/Vitamins from a wonderful dude at the draft last night… obviously,” he wrote with a wink, explaining that it was just “a little altitude/attitude lift” before going live. McAfee even joked that he “thought Coach might’ve gave it a go” – implying he half-expected the 61-year-old McCarthy to take a cheeky puff as well. (McCarthy, ever the straight-shooter, did not.) The clarification eased any concern that McAfee had been openly using a banned substance on air, and it added to the humor of the situation for fans. Still, the sight of an ESPN personality vaping on live TV had some viewers doing a double-take. While the crowd in Green Bay found it “cool”, McAfee’s bosses at ESPN might not have been quite as amused by the unexpected stunt. Nonetheless, the moment perfectly encapsulated the spontaneous, “never change, Pat” energy that McAfee brings to sports media – and it gave Mike McCarthy a front-row seat to one of the wildest draft night antics in recent memory.
McCarthy’s High Road: No Hard Feelings and Cowboys Pride
After the vape pen excitement died down, Mike McCarthy stayed on set to talk football. This appearance came just a few months after McCarthy and the Cowboys had parted ways in January, ending his five-year tenure as Dallas’s head coach. Despite that high-profile split, McCarthy demonstrated nothing but class and positivity when discussing his former team. When Pat McAfee asked if he harbored any ill will or resentment toward the Cowboys, McCarthy answered immediately in the negative. “Not at all. I loved my time in Dallas,” he said firmly. In fact, McCarthy revealed he’d been enjoying Dallas even more in recent months (now that he had some free time to soak in the city he once coached in). He praised Dallas as a “great city” with a “phenomenal organization”, making a point to credit Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, his wife Gene, and the entire Jones family for how they treated him during his stint as head coach. McCarthy spoke warmly of the “close family” atmosphere the Joneses foster in the franchise, calling his experience with them an education in life and business. “I’m a better man today than I was when I went to Dallas,” McCarthy said, expressing gratitude for his time with “America’s Team” and for the influence of Jerry Jones’s mentorship. It was a gracious, high-road response from a coach whose exit could have left bitterness – instead, McCarthy showed genuine affection and respect for his former employer on live television.
McCarthy’s goodwill didn’t stop at general praise; he also weighed in on Dallas’s surprising draft pick that night. The Cowboys had just used the 12th overall selection on Tyler Booker, a guard from Alabama, bucking some expectations that they might target a flashy receiver or defender. When McAfee pressed him for his take, McCarthy made it clear he approved of the choice. “Love the pick… if you would’ve asked me who we’d be picking, this is the way to go,” he remarked enthusiastically. As a coach who always valued strong offensive line play, McCarthy saw Booker’s selection as a throwback to a formula that worked well in Dallas’s past. He suggested this pick means “getting back to hopefully the good old days in Dallas” – a nod to the franchise’s tradition of dominant O-lines – and indicated that investing in the offensive front is never a bad idea for the Cowboys. McCarthy’s analysis came off as both supportive and a bit wistful; even though he’s no longer calling the shots in the draft war room, he still roots for the team’s success and liked the direction they took. Throughout the segment, McCarthy handled every question with a blend of professionalism and good humor – whether it was deflecting a vape pen or diplomatically discussing Dallas’s decisions, he showed the easygoing charm of a coach at peace with his legacy in Big D.
10+ Wins and Playoffs: McCarthy’s Bold Prediction for Dallas
Before McCarthy departed the draft show set, he left Cowboys fans with a dose of optimism for the future. Pat McAfee asked the former coach to peer into his crystal ball and predict how Dallas would fare in the upcoming season. McCarthy didn’t hesitate to forecast success for his old squad. “That’s going to be a good football team this year,” he said confidently on-air, adding that “I do, I think there’ll be 10-plus wins, [a] playoff-caliber football [team].” In McCarthy’s view, the pieces are in place for Dallas to continue being a contender. He expressed particular confidence in the Cowboys’ current leadership and coaching staff. After McCarthy’s exit, Dallas promoted Brian Schottenheimer, who had been on McCarthy’s staff, to take on a bigger role in guiding the team. McCarthy vouched for his former colleague, suggesting that Schottenheimer is well-prepared to succeed. “He’s been there three years, he knows the [organization],” McCarthy noted, implying that continuity in the coaching staff will help Dallas stay on track (and perhaps even make McCarthy’s playoff prediction come true).
This upbeat prediction of double-digit wins and a postseason berth might have raised some eyebrows given the competitive nature of the NFC, but it perfectly matched McCarthy’s positive tone throughout the night. Even though he won’t be on the Dallas sideline this season, McCarthy sounded more like a supportive alumnus than a recently fired coach. His belief in the roster and the front office came through clearly. By prognosticating a 10+ win season, McCarthy effectively gave a vote of confidence to quarterback Dak Prescott and the rest of the Cowboys’ core, signaling that he expects them to rebound strong. It was a feel-good moment for Cowboys faithful tuning in – hearing their former coach affirm that the team is built to win now. McCarthy’s prediction, delivered with a friendly smile, capped off an eventful guest appearance that had already featured one for-the-ages viral clip.
In the end, the Mike McCarthy-Pat McAfee draft night crossover delivered both comedy and insight. The on-camera vape escapade showed McAfee’s goofy showmanship (and McCarthy’s easygoing refusal to partake) in a segment that social media is still replaying and laughing about. Moments later, McCarthy’s candid reflections on Dallas and his upbeat outlook for the Cowboys’ future provided substance to balance the spectacle – illustrating why McCarthy remains a respected figure in the NFL world. It’s not often you see a Hall-of-Fame-bound coach sharing laughs over a vape pen on live TV and then diplomatically discussing his former boss Jerry Jones, all in the span of a few minutes. But that unique blend of fun and professionalism is exactly what made this draft show moment stand out. As one fan online joked, “Only on Pat McAfee’s show do you get both a vape cloud and genuine football wisdom in one segment.” The 2025 Draft Spectacular will be remembered for that viral McAfee-and-McCarthy interaction – a lighthearted draft night vignette that reminded everyone that football, even at its most intense moments, can still have a sense of humor.
