Pat McAfee is a popular presence on ESPN right now, but he hasn’t endeared himself to Washington State Cougars fans very much.
Last week McAfee called Wazzou and its fanbase out after head coach Jake Dickert made harsh comments about Lee Corso and Ryan Leaf bashed GameDay for the way it discussed the school. McAfee ranted how the school should “shut up” and get over its situation, a moment that reflected poorly on him and GameDay given ESPN’s role in conference realignment, which has hurt the school in a major way.
Coincidentally, ESPN announced that GameDay would head to Seattle next weekend for the game between the Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies. While Pullman is across the state, plenty of Washinton State faithful are sure to show up as well and McAfee made sure to take note of that during the announcement.
College GameDay announcers they're going to Washington-Oregon next week. Pat McAfee is excited!
"I cannot wait to get to that state, that state really likes me." pic.twitter.com/6qhXYl8dNA
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 7, 2023
While self-deprecating in a way, a lot of college football fans, especially Washington State fans, didn’t enjoy hearing it. For them, they’re getting tired of ESPN’s golden boy making everything about him. And plenty of them took to social media to voice their displeasure with his ongoing schtick.
everyone else: talks about the game and rivalry hate
pat mcafee: how can i make this about me! https://t.co/XvSE03U8Ii
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) October 7, 2023
ESPN's mistake (one of many) was trying to replace a fun guy who made the show about the sport with a loud guy who uses the show to promote his own brand at the expense of the product https://t.co/h8TXU6rXN6
— portal quarry (@crimsonquarry) October 7, 2023
https://twitter.com/A_G_Haubner/status/1710671981593666026
https://twitter.com/keithpricetrut1/status/1710784769649516624
Yes Pat, get in there and make it about yourself. https://t.co/KNJZN5DjBn
— John Akey (he/him) (@jpakey99) October 7, 2023
McAfee should expect to hear about it some more when GameDay sets up shop in Seattle, Washington next week.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.