Calls for ESPN to fire Pat McAfee after NFL legend issues groveling apology for controversial on air remarks
An iconic sports pundit also weighed in on McAfee’s remarks
ESPN has been urged to fire Pat McAfee after his rant about Canadian wrestling fans who booed The Star-Spangled Banner.
The former NFL punter-turned-star personality apologized for lashing out at Canadians during his commentary of the WWE Chambers event in Toronto Saturday night.
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Pat McAfee worked as a broadcaster in Toronto for WWE over the weekendCredit: Getty
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During his self-titled ESPN show, the 37-year-old McAfee apologized for bashing Canada after fans booed the US national anthem during the WWE eventCredit: ESPN
McAfee slammed Canadians after they booed the rendition of the US national anthem performed by Elizabeth Irving amid tensions with President Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on the country.
“These are the most stacked Elimination Chambers that the WWE has ever had,” McAfee said on the broadcast.
“It kind of sucks that it’s in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing!”
McAfee issued a little more than a three-minute apology on his self-titled ESPN program on Monday after calling Canada a “terrible country.”
“There’s been some things said to me from Canadians that I guess I respect, because of the passion that you have for your country, which I hope you understand that I was showing the same for mine,” McAfee said.
“You booed my country. Now, I heard from a lot of Canadians. During the national anthem, obviously the Rogers Centre, overwhelming boo. I mean, very loud boo.
The first reaction whenever the national anthem starts up there was for some of these Canadians just to start booing. My entire life, my first reaction when somebody boos the national anthem is, [expletive] you.”
“I love Canadians, but my first reaction whenever you boo our country is, ‘Well, okay, let’s fight.’ And I’m sorry, so let’s go shake their hands – Canada,” he ended his apology, extending a hand to the camera for a handshake.
However, social media users believe that McAfee should be fired by ESPN for his controversial remarks.
“McAfee SHOULD be fired,” one wrote.
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“Can you just fire McAfee? He has no business getting any air time,” another commented.
Legendary sports commentator Keith Olbermann wants ESPN to axe McAfee and referenced the network’s move to sign the personality to a five-year, $85 million contract in 2023.
“A lot of us tried to warn the new ESPN management that the day would come when this idiot would draw them into a permanent political controversy and they could either be subsumed by it, or fire him,” Olbermann wrote on X.
“That day is today. Fire him.”
Pat McAfee’s playing days
Pat McAfee enjoyed a hugely successful stint before switching to a career in the media.
The talk show star played punter in the NFL for eight seasons from 2009 to 2016.
He was a seventh round NFL Draft pick in 2009 out of West Virginia and spent his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts.
The ex-punter was named to the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2016, and he was a first team All-Pro in 2014, as well.
McAfee owns the unique NFL record of the highest career net average punting yards with 41.4 yards while his longest ever punt was 74.
It’s highly unlikely that ESPN fires McAfee, who also works on the network’s college football coverage.
It was just a week ago that he broke that Travis Kelce will not retire and play in his 13th season in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.
McAfee made the announcement in one of the first shows following an end-of-season break.
The 37-year-old spoke about his vacation and opened up about those who thought his status with the network was uncertain.
“While we were down there, during our break, with how long it was, some people were wondering. “I’ve heard, in the industry, ‘Oh, Pat McAfee and the show are never coming back to ESPN,'” McAfee said.
“They thought we were gonna sail off into the sunset. Never come back.
“Then I popped my a** into Disney and I think, ‘Is this not enough of a mention?’”
