Since Pat McAfee joined ESPN, he’s gained a legion of both supporters and critics, the latter apparently including one of his own bosses at the station.
In fact, McAfee went so far as to say it was “canceled by both sides” in the wake of the Aaron Rodgers vs. Jimmy Kimmel vs. Jeffrey Epstein controversy.
McAfee joined ESPN last year in an $85 million deal and will co-host “College GameDay” in 2023 (his future there is undetermined) and is a contributor to “First Take.” His own show is aired daily on the network. And that led to most of his viral and infamous moments.
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Pat McAfee points to fans while walking down the 18th fairway during the first round of the 2022 American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada on July 8, 2022. . (Isaiah Vasquez/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
The main host of Stephen A. Smith’s “First Take” recently called McAfee a “sensational talent” and mentioned his “favorite” qualities about McAfee.
“I love Pat McAfee. I love him to death. I love his stuff. I love the fact that he’s an honest brother. He doesn’t think anything—. You knows exactly where he stands. That’s my type of guy.’ That works for me,” Stephen A. said.Boys With Basin With The Boys” Podcast by former Tennessee Titan Taylor Lewan.
But Smith said there are significant differences between the two. Smith said he was “more politically sophisticated” than McAfee for two reasons, one of which was race.
Pat McAfee brought the show to ESPN last year. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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“Because he has no desire to be No. 1,” Smith said. “And number two, to be honest, he’s white and I’m black. He didn’t have to be that way. I had to be that way. So, I understand it all. And I’m not blaming him for that. “
But Smith also called McAfee a “pioneer” in the media and entertainment business, along with Bill Simmons and Joe Rogan, because of McAfee’s digital success.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love Pat and he knows it. I’ll do anything to help him,” Smith said.
Pat McAfee attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s ‘The Quarterback’ held at the TUDUM Theater on July 11, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (JC Olivera/Getty Images)
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Smith’s contract with ESPN will reportedly be extended later this year.
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