Pat McAfee is a polarizing sports media figure in 2026.
The former NFL punter turned sports media figure is loved by some and hated by others. Part of this, of course, is that ESPN is stuffing McAfee down everyone’s throat these days. He has his daily show, his “College GameDay” slot and, now, his spot on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown.”
Is it too much content?
Some would argue that it is.
But NFL announcer Mike Tirico is making it clear that he believes that McAfee is good for football and sports media in general.
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Speaking with Front Office Sports Tonight, Tirico made it clear that he has a high opinion of McAfee.
“I just respect the fact that it’s genuine,” Tirico said. “That’s who he is, and the fact that it’s caught, that’s great. There are different people who catch on for different reasons. People who catch on for their love of sport and keep that passion for sport and keep connecting audiences to the athletes and the players, I’m all for. I think Pat is doing that.”
Tirico praises McAfee for connecting with athletes
Tirico is consistently impressed by the athletes that McAfee gets on his show.
“You see the people who go on his show. It brings you close to some of the biggest names in sports, and that’s great for all of us. If an Aaron Rodgers or other people feel comfortable talking to Pat, we hear more from them, I think that just gives other athletes the chance to talk more. So bravo Pat. Good for him.”
McAfee still has plenty of critics, but he clearly has a major fan in Tirico, the prominent NFL announcer.
