ESPN personality Pat McAfee stated on his Monday daily show that he “did not enjoy the University of Utah” following an appearance on “College GameDay” in Salt Lake City. The analyst took issue with an official university Instagram post published shortly before the broadcast.
The deleted social media video featured University of Utah students offering impressions of McAfee. One student called the commentator “corny,” while another labeled him “creepy.” McAfee argued that while student blogs are acceptable platforms for criticism, amplification by the university itself felt uncomfortable right before he walked out to broadcast. McAfee described feeling like he was receiving “shrapnel from a lot of places” due to the official post.
The Broadcast Atmosphere and Student Reactions in Salt Lake City
Despite the tensions surrounding the social media post, the morning event featured heavy crowd engagement. The Utah student section chanted for McAfee to remove his shirt just minutes into the live broadcast. McAfee initially resisted the crowd’s calls, pointing out the digital criticism he had received, before eventually removing his shirt with assistance from former coach Nick Saban.
Pat McAfee says he hopes College GameDay never sends him back to Utah.After the university’s own Instagram account mocked him before Saturday’s show, McAfee said the entire experience left him “very, very uncomfortable.”✍️: @ByGusWilson https://t.co/aUg7yM2Evu
McAfee also expressed frustration during the “kicking is easy” contest segment. A student participant compared the $1 million prize in Salt Lake City unfavorably to a $3 million payout won previously by a BYU student. McAfee stated that the combination of the Instagram post, the student’s monetary comparison, and memories of past campus violence in the state created a deeply uncomfortable environment for him.
Reflecting on the visit, McAfee questioned whether the university should amplify hostile sentiment toward visiting broadcasters. He stated that while the Utah football team is good, he hopes to avoid returning to the campus for future broadcasts. The analyst still thanked fans for showing up to the event, despite his reservations about the institutional handling of the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Pat McAfee upset with the University of Utah?
McAfee objected to an official University of Utah Instagram post published before the broadcast that featured students calling him “corny” and “creepy.” He argued it was inappropriate for the university to amplify negative sentiment about him right before he appeared on air.
What did McAfee say about returning to Salt Lake City?
McAfee stated on his show that he hopes to never return to the campus for “College GameDay,” joking that he might have COVID or something whenever the show goes back.
How did the University of Utah respond to the controversy?
The University of Utah deleted the Instagram video and did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the incident.
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