Pat Mcafee Faces Death Threats, Compares Criticism to Kirk Shooting

WHO:

Sportskeeda - Pat McAfee, ESPN personality and College GameDay host, was reportedly the subject of “very real” death threats.

Defector - McAfee discussed criticism from University of Utah students and referred to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

Defector - ESPN said it supported McAfee and took safety concerns for its on-air team, crew, and fans seriously.

Defector - The University of Utah said it had reached out to McAfee and apologized for creating a perception that he was unsafe or unwelcome.

Defector - Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and his business partner added money to the College GameDay kicking contest prize pot.

WHAT:

Defector - McAfee complained on his daily talk show about a University of Utah Instagram video in which students imitated him, calling him “corny” and “creepy,” and joked about his shirtless on-set routine. The university later deleted the video.

Defector - McAfee said the university’s post made him uncomfortable shortly before he appeared on campus, and said he hoped never to return. He also said, “I think I have COVID or something whenever GameDay goes back, if I’m still a part of GameDay.”

Defector - McAfee compared the university amplifying reasons people might hate him to a recent college-gathering tragedy in Utah, referring to Kirk’s fatal shooting.

Defector - McAfee picked visiting Houston, but Utah won the game, 21–13.

Defector - During College GameDay, McAfee mentioned the video’s shirt-related joke and then took off his shirt. A student’s “Only $1 million?” remark referred to the kicking contest prize.

Defector - ESPN’s statement said it was committed to a safe environment and recognized “very real and valid concerns” about McAfee’s safety and security.

NY Post - McAfee addressed reports that he had been advised to wear a bulletproof vest and discussed social-media threats he had received.

WHERE:

Defector - The College GameDay visit took place at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City; McAfee said the Kirk shooting had happened about 40 miles south, at Utah Valley University.

Defector - The kicking contest reference involved a BYU student and the previous week’s contest.

WHY:

Defector - McAfee said the university’s publication of the students’ impressions, shortly before his appearance, made him feel uncomfortable and raised safety concerns.

Defector - The university said its goal was “lighthearted engagement” about McAfee being back on campus but that it “missed the mark.”

HOW:

Sportskeeda - The article said the FBI advised McAfee to wear a bulletproof vest.

Defector - McAfee’s GameDay appearance included a student field-goal contest; the week before, the prize had been increased to $3 million by Smith and his business partner.

ESPN personality Pat McAfee said he received social-media threats and was advised to wear a bulletproof vest after a University of Utah video mocking him made him feel unsafe ahead of College GameDay’s visit to Salt Lake City. The university deleted the video, apologized for making him feel unwelcome, and said it had intended lighthearted engagement; ESPN said it took concerns about McAfee’s safety seriously. McAfee also referred to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, while Utah beat his pick, Houston, 21 to 13, and the GameDay kicking contest featured a $3 million prize.