Has the criticism for ESPN’s Pat McAfee gone so far that fans are now defending him? It sounds like it.
McAfee, a former NFL punter turned sports media personality, has faced growing criticism throughout the season, for his role on “College GameDay” and “Monday Night Countdown” at ESPN.
Even McAfee is starting to recognize the criticism.
“I hope @PatMcAfeeShow gets kidney stones or something and can’t ruin college gameday this weekend,” one person wrote on X this Thursday.
McAfee quickly replied to this post: “This is crazy.”
© Michael Longo / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
The popular and polarizing ESPN analyst, though, now has plenty of people coming to his defense.
Has the criticism gone too far?
“I’m sorry, but I have never understood the Pat McAfee hate. The dude is just out there having a good time, all the time. He is such a fun host for gameday,” Jeff Biesinger wrote on X.
College football fans defending McAfee on Sunday
College football fans are defending the ESPN analyst amid the growing criticism on Sunday.
“A lot of it is because espn is laying off everybody and it’s becoming the pat mcafee network,” one fan wrote on X.
“I think Pat is a great entertainer. He makes gameday fun. Can’t dispute that. I miss when espn actually cared about sports above entertainment. Pat is far from the problem, but too many examples of espn letting go elite talent to prioritize a couple entertainers,” one fan added on X.
“I can see how he’s not for everybody. He’s a lot. But I’m usually entertained by him,” one fan added.
Of course, not everyone agrees.
“Never understood his appeal at all. Appealing to lowest common denominator types,” another fan wrote on X.
Where do you stand on McAfee in 2026?
