Pat McAfee Vows Never to Return After Utah Controversy
Pat McAfee criticizes University of Utah over social media mishandling and safety concerns.
2 min read
Pat McAfee has vowed never to return to the University of Utah after a controversial experience during a recent College GameDay appearance. During Monday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show, McAfee expressed his discomfort with how the university treated him prior to his appearance, calling the experience ‘uncomfortable.’
Instagram Video Sparks Outcry
McAfee’s frustration stemmed from a now-deleted Instagram video posted by the University of Utah before Saturday’s show. The video featured students camping out for GameDay and making impressions of McAfee, including one calling him ‘corny’ and another criticizing his habit of taking his shirt off on air.
🚨 Pat McAfee GOES OFF on the University of Utah 😳
‘The university puts that out? Like as I’m about to do an infomercial for the place?’ McAfee said. ‘I’m walking in front of thousands of people. This is how the university feels about me? It’s an uncomfortable feeling.’
Security Concerns and Past Incidents
McAfee also referenced the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last year, expressing unease about the university amplifying criticism of him before he addressed a large audience.
‘But you got people that really hate my guts out there. Like really hate my guts,’ he said. ‘But the university gaslighting some of it right before I go out there to talk about your school, especially with what happened 40 miles south of Salt Lake City a little over a year ago? It’s like, I did not enjoy that. I was very, very uncomfortable.’
https://t.co/m3AGqPnVPs
An ESPN spokesperson addressed McAfee’s comments, emphasizing the importance of safety and security for the GameDay team and fans. ‘The safety and security of our on-air team, crew and fans is paramount at College GameDay. We are committed to ensuring a safe environment, and given the very real threats that members of our team face, we take issues involving their safety seriously. We support Pat and recognize the very real and valid concerns he has around safety and security.’
Other Discontentments
McAfee also criticized the university’s ‘Kicking Is Easy’ contest, which he felt was handled inappropriately. A Utah contestant questioned why she was competing for $1 million after BYU student Carter Smith had a chance at $3 million the previous week.
This applies to so many things… https://t.co/IgOpJRgbUj
McAfee concluded his remarks with a clear statement of his feelings about the University of Utah.
‘All right, I hate this place. I hate this place.’
Source: Daily Wire
