The FBI suggested that ESPN commentator Pat McAfee start wearing a bulletproof vest following the assassination of Charlie Kirk last year, according to a source who spoke to OutKick.
Recently, McAfee hinted at Kirk during his show while expressing his unease about filming “College GameDay” at Utah Valley University. “And then I thought to myself, has anything like really scary happened at like a college gathering in the state of Utah recently?” he reflected on Monday. “Like, do we think we should be amplifying reasons for why people hate my guts as a university? I don’t know.”
Front Office Sports was the first to report about the FBI’s recommendation to McAfee.
ESPN stated that it takes all threats seriously, affirming their support for McAfee and acknowledging his valid safety concerns.
It’s not entirely clear what made McAfee feel unsafe on campus. A viral video, which was posted by a university account, showed students mocking him as “corny” for taking his shirt off during the event.
Kirk’s assassination in 2025 raised alarms among various media figures regarding their safety in public spaces.
Often viewed as a leading figure in sports media, McAfee has faced intense scrutiny and false narratives from internet critics, especially after his interview with President Trump on ESPN earlier this year. He appears each week on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” a show that broadcasts live from college campuses.
As of now, McAfee hasn’t replied to OutKick’s text requesting comment on the FBI’s advice.
We’ll keep an eye on this story and update if he offers an official statement.
