Pat McAfee declared he hopes to never again make a trip to Utah’s venerable home, unleashing his signature brand of controversy on the “College GameDay” broadcast and igniting a fresh spat with the Utes faithful. This isn’t just about a game pick, either; the former NFL player pointed directly to a bizarre interaction with a contestant during the show.
McAfee’s Wild Ride: A History of Sparking Controversy
Let’s be real, McAfee isn’t new to lighting fires. The man built his whole thing as a sports media outsider, finding a niche and making serious bank with his ESPN employers. He seems to embrace the controversy that follows him, almost like a shadow. Remember when he gave Aaron Rodgers a platform to direct barbs at a host of subjects, like Anthony Fauci, on his podcast? Or how about in 2024 when he famously called Caitlin Clark a “white b,” drawing the ire of segments across the sports landscape? He’s also had prior spats with both Washington State and Georgia supporters. The dude is a magnet for attention, and he doesn’t shy away from it.
Salt Lake City Gets the Full McAfee Experience
The punter-turned-podcaster has tended to keep his deepest vitriol for certain fanbases off the airwaves in recent weeks, but Salt Lake City was apparently different. Before Utah’s high-profile clash with Houston, with the Utes fanbase pooled into the city to watch “College GameDay,” McAfee just couldn’t help himself. He employed his typical shtick, wavering right up until the last second before siding with the Cougars.
“It’s hard to pick against this mighty Utah student section, but I’m gonna do it ten times out of ten,” McAfee said on air. “Give me Houston coming out of here with a big-time dub and proving that Utah hasn’t had to play anybody yet. They’re going to get a little bit of a struggle, and then maybe they get better down the stretch. Congrats to Houston getting a huge win here in Salt Lake City.”
And then came the kicker: McAfee proclaimed that he is never planning on making a trek to Utah’s home again. “Thank you, guys. I’ll never see you again, hopefully,” he flat-out told the crowd.
A Kicking Contest Sparked the Fury
What pushed him to that brink? McAfee cited a tense interaction he had with the person selected to do “College GameDay’s” kicking raffle as one of the reasons for his adversarial view of the Utes’ campus. A contestant for the competition expressed her disappointment over the sum of her potential winnings, noting that BYU’s iteration of the contest from the week before featured a $3 million prize instead of the $1 million she was presented with. McAfee, never one to miss a moment, pointed out that BYU’s competition was bankrolled in part by a pair of billionaire BYU donors. He then quipped, “Actually, how about $20. This kick will be for ONE MIL.”
So, will McAfee actually stay away from Utah? Who knows with him. But one thing’s clear: when he hits a campus, you never know what kind of chaos he’ll stir up next. The man persists, and the drama keeps rolling.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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