The crazy reason this NFL star is giving up $3.6m

Star punter Pat McAfee has announced his retirement from the NFL for one of the most unbelievable reasons you could imagine.

Despite being scheduled to earn $3.6 million next season for the Indianapolis Colts, the 29-year-old decided he will instead focus on a career in comedy.

What makes the decision even more astounding is that McAfee is one of the games' best punters, since joining the Colts in 2009.

He's been named to two Pro Bowls, and had his best year punting this year with 49.3 yards per punt - but now he'll be taking up a job in the entertainment industry with Barstool Sports.

"I just started asking myself while I was driving to work if there was more to life than kicking footballs every day," McAfee said.

He announced his decision in two parts, first writing a love letter to Indianapolis, a city with "the best humans on earth".

Before giving a 'press conference' of sorts, in which he was eventually told he was making a horrible mistake.

"Are you aware just how bad of a f***in idea this is," a reporter from Barstool Sports asked.

"Yep," McAfee replied.