Everyone is a Jack Doyle fan these days. And Colts punter Pat McAfee is no exception.
McAfee took his fandom to the next level on Wednesday – proudly walking around the Colts locker room in a Jack Doyle t-shirt.
"This shirt here explains everything that is Jack Doyle – the Chuck Norris of the NFL. He is a guy who can block. You see him right here, he's rushing a punt right here. He's scoring a touchdown right here. And if you look off in the distance, he's making an amazing catch like he had two of this past weekend," he said.
Calling him a jack-of-all-trades, McAfee said from day one, Doyle has done everything right. He's watched the tight end go from the hometown kid just trying to make the team to one of its star players.
"He's protected me since he got here on the punt team, he's taken out their best rusher, for field goals he takes out the edge rush, he used to cover kicks, he used to be on the kickoff returns, he really grinded his way through special teams much like many of the greats of the past – Robert Mathis used to cover kicks. But now, he's just this blossoming superstar who has an incredible beard and an ability to do everything perfectly. And that's what Jack Doyle does."
So, where did the t-shirt come from?
"The equipment room had a few extras," he said. "I knew as soon as I saw it I wanted to wear it. I don't know who made them. I know whoever made them didn't pay me to say who made it, so I'm not sure. But I do know that the equipment room bought them or had them made or something like that, just as a joke. A little levity, keep it moving."
But what Doyle does for the team is no joke. A few seasons ago in a similar gesture, someone in the Colts building made up wrist bands that said "Walk With Jack Doyle."
Beloved by his coaches and teammates, the guy who grew up in Indianapolis and played for Cathedral High School is not only a great football player, he's also a really great teammate.
Is it rare for a player to wear merchandise promoting another player? Maybe on some teams, but in the Colts locker room – not so much.
"We've got a lot of guys, T.Y. wore my socks a couple times, he has a Quan Bray shirt. We like to show the love here. We've got good teammates here," McAfee said.
Even quarterback Andrew Luck acknowledges he's a Jack Doyle fan.
"I've got a Jack Doyle t-shirt hanging in my locker. It's been worn," he said.
You know you're a star when Andrew Luck and Pat McAfee wear a t-shirt with you on it.
Welcome to the big time, Jack Doyle.
We'd say, "Don't let success go to your head," but we know it never will.
So instead, we'll just say congratulations.
It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
