Popular sports talker Pat McAfee causes buzz at Fan Fest despite the downpour

CANTON − The Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest resembled a football frat party as celebrity sports talker Pat McAfee drew diehard fans on a drizzly afternoon.

McAfee, a popular ESPN sports television personality, was the main attraction on July 31 as the new Fan Fest helped kick off the Enshrinement Festival. Fan Fest continues through Aug. 3.

Rain deterred business for food trucks and games and other attractions in the shadow of the Hall of Fame. But a few hundred people got drenched as McAfee held court on his sports talk show in a parking lot area not far from the Hall's front entrance.

Known to be irreverent, outspoken and brash, McAfee encouraged a rowdy atmosphere. Fans gathered around the covered TV set and often chanted for others to chug a beer. Fans jeered McAfee playfully. McAfee also tossed freebies and goodies to those who endured the relentless rain.

Here's a look at some of those who attended the launch of Fan Fest and why they were there:

New festival event: Pro Football Hall of Fame wants more engagement from Northeast Ohio. So, Fan Fest was born

Family drove 10 hours to Fan Fest

Jake Gentry, 36, of Greenville, South Carolina, let his two sons take turns sitting atop his shoulders.

This was the first time the group had been to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And they would be watching their first NFL game in person on the night of July 31 — the Hall of Fame Game.

Trekking to Canton was a special way to celebrate the birthday of Brody Gentry, 11.

"It's great," Brody said from the view up high while clad in a Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts jersey. "I love it. It's so much fun. Rain? It's fun."

Twice as much fun in Canton

Twin sisters Brooke and Beth Habberfield, 41, of Penn Yan, New York, attended Fan Fest.

"We're actually (in Ohio) for the Twinsburg Twin Festival, but we wanted to stop here and see Pat and everything else that is going on today because we're pretty excited for the Fan Fest," Brooke Habberfield said.

The sisters also said McAfee isn't hard on the eyes. Beth Habberfield grinned and rated him a 10.

"Obviously he’s attractive," she said with a laugh. "But we just love football overall, so we love watching him and gaining the knowledge — it just makes everything exciting and interesting."

Both sisters raised their cell phones up high in an attempt to take photos of McAfee.

The twins are passionate football fans ... but not for the same team. Brooke roots for the Buffalo Bills and Beth cheers for the Miami Dolphins.

Beth switched allegiences when she was younger.

"When the Bills lost the Super Bowl four times in a row, I chose a different team, and I love (former Miami player and Hall of Fame member Jason Taylor)," she said.

Akron dad says Northeast Ohio lucky to have HOF

Bill Davis, 43, of Akron, withstood the barrage of raindrops while holding his son Peyton Davis, 9, on his shoulders.

Both are fans of McAfee. His other son Johnathan Davis, 14, also was in tow.

"As true Browns fans, you come out here and weather the elements," the father said. "We're just trying to have some father-son bonding."

McAfee also made it worth getting soggy.

"He takes a different approach," Bill Davis said. "He has a little more zest and charisma. The way he approaches his shows, I think it relates to my younger guys a little bit more than some of the other shows, so we enjoy it."

The Hall of Fame is the biggest attraction, however.

"I think we don't appreciate it enough being right in our backyard," the dad said. "I travel a lot for a living, and people say, 'You're from the Akron-Canton area, that's where (the Pro Football Hall of Fame is).' I guess us locals don't appreciate it or realize how lucky we are to have it, so I just try to get down here as often as possible to celebrate it with the boys."

McAfee is 'all worth the wet.'

Conner Teter, 21, of Canton, stood out among the crowd because he was costumed as Hulk Hogan.

"I dressed up as Hulk Hogan because Pat McAfee has interviewed him before, and he’s also one of the commentators on WWE," Teter said. "And I also wanted to catch his eye because I’m also a Browns fan."

Asked about the dreary weather, Teter didn't flinch. "For Pat McAfee, I've been listening to him for three years, and it's all worth the wet."

"I think Pat McAfee brings a young crowd, and he also amps up the festivities they got here, and I’m only here for Pat McAfee."

Football crazies flock to Fan Fest

The Hulk Hogan theme continued with Brad Borchardt, 38, of Iron Mountain, Michigan.

Football crazies flocked to Fan Fest. But Borchardt is next level. He morphs into his Hulk Hogan meets Green Packers fan schtick as if it's his alter ego.

Hulk Hogan poses. Trash talking. Exaggerated energy. All of it. "Packer Mania" is his persona. Borchardt is among the elite group of fans who represent their teams as members of the Pro Football Ultimate Fan Association.

"This is football weather, so the rain ain't stopping us from having a party, brother," the super fan said as he channeled his inner-Hulkster. "And if you ain't down with that, you better eat your cheese and pray to Lombardi, brother, because what are you going to do when the power of Packer Mania runs wild on you!"

Reach Ed at [email protected]. Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Pat McAfee attends Fan Fest at Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton