Over the past few years, Pat McAfee has become one of ESPN’s biggest stars with his show The Pat McAfee Show appearing on ESPN and becoming a regular part of the network’s iconic College GameDay show on Saturdays. But he’s also been a source of controversy recently.
Last week, Aaron Rodgers went on his show and insinuated that late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel would appear on Jeffrey Epstein’s client list. McAfee defended Rodgers and had him on his show once again, and now he seems to be playing the victim.
In a speech on Monday, Pat McAfee used Martin Luther King Jr. Day to claim that he has been “canceled” by both Republicans and Democrats as a result of the controversy.
Pat McAfee on Martin Luther King Jr. Day: "He had a dream and I think LANK was one of the closest we've had to potentially that dream coming to fruition. So let's realize that as we look around and realize that we're maybe more close than we've ever been. And there's an election… pic.twitter.com/IUe6o4iwtW
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 15, 2024
“He had a dream and I think LANK was one of the closest we’ve had to potentially that dream coming to fruition.” McAfee said on his show. “So let’s realize that as we look around and realize that we’re maybe more close than we’ve ever been. And there’s an election about to take place next year where we need to remember that we are more close than we have ever been… now, as somebody who was canceled by both parties last week, both of them canceled me. Two political parties canceled me last week and we are still alive. Let’s remember we don’t need the outside noise. All we need is a little bit of love.”
Obviously, this led to a lot of reactions on social media.
i have zero against Pat McAfee. it’s very impressive what he’s built for himself. however, he’s bashed his employer numerous times on their network and still has a job. that’s an example of why he can’t possibly understand the division in this country — it’s not his reality https://t.co/8FxhqEDDfE
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) January 15, 2024
This may be the wildest use of “cancelled” we’ve ever seen. https://t.co/JKaHsk7YLj
— Stephen Douglas (@Stephen_Douglas) January 15, 2024
McAfee makes me wish cancel culture were a real thing https://t.co/faNqqOREvE
— Jeanna Kelley (@jeannathomas) January 15, 2024
McAfee on air said his boss tried to sabotage his show and wasn’t punished at all but claims he’s been canceled every week. White people should just take MLK day in silence just have beer watch the games don’t mention his name. https://t.co/XhtzGWJYLQ
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) January 15, 2024
"I have been canceled twice." -guy talking live on his own ESPN show https://t.co/SoTV3hkA9P
— Absolutely Hammered (@ah_pod) January 15, 2024
This rant proves how much further we have to go. https://t.co/odZJrRCqEq
— Roy Bellamy (@roybelly) January 15, 2024
It’s clear that these comments did not go over well.
