Pat McAfee leaves largest ever tip in Rocco's Jello Shot Challenge at College World Series

The Rocco's Jello Shot Challenge has become a go-to event for fans traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, for the College World Series each year. The challenge is simple — fans of the school that buy the most shots during the tournament wins.

Due to the attention the challenge has received over the last few years, some well known — and wealthy — fans have participated in the competition, including ESPN's Pat McAfee, most recently. McAfee, a former West Virginia punter, contributed his shots to the Mountaineers, of course.

We went to Rocco’s last night 😂😂 #PMSLivepic.twitter.com/kgyNMJUi2m

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 12, 2026

McAfee brought checks with him to Rocco's Pizza and Cantina, assuming that would be the preferred payment option for a large purchase. McAfee then said it didn't seem like the general manager was happy he didn't call ahead that he was showing up.

"I go, 'So do I like, write a check?' McAfee said on his show Friday, June 12. "He goes, 'yours would bounce, I think.' He just kept walking. Wasn't like a joking thing.

Then, McAfee said he got serious about making his contribution to the challenge.

"How does this work?" McAfee said he asked the general manager when he walked into Rocco's, which is located directly across the street from Charles Schwab Field Omaha. "He goes, 'card.' I go, 'Well, how'd that guy do $300,000? Is there a credit card out there that has a $300,000 limit? That's incredible, I need to find that.'"

Rocco's posted June 12, on X that West Virginia had already entered the top 10 in all-time Jello shots purchased, while also shouting on McAfee for leaving "the largest tip Rocco's has ever seen."

McAfee noted, though, that the experience wasn't exactly what he expected.

"It was very much like a, you're lucky to be giving us this money to do this entire thing as opposed to like, a (celebration). And I think they were treating everybody like that."

LSU broke the all-time record for shots purchased at the 2023 College World Series, which was led by Raising Cane's founder and Tigers booster Todd Graves, who bought $30,000 worth of shots before LSU ultimately won the national championship.

West Virginia has an early lead in the challenge, thanks to McAfee's donation and the turnout from its fan base experiencing the program's first-ever CWS appearance. Maybe the next time West Virginia reaches Omaha, the famed sports personality will call ahead.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pat McAfee leaves largest tip in Rocco's Jello Shot Challenge history