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Pat McAfee responds to accusations of smoking weed on camera.
Pat McAfee is under fire for supposedly smoking weed on-air during his show on Thursday afternoon. He has since responded to the claims online.
He had some fun after seeing his name go viral on social media.
McAfee is a known smoker. He’s opened up on his marijuana use in the past.
“I smoke a lot of weed,” McAfee said on the All the Smoke podcast when asked how he balances negativity and stays focused. “I do. I think that’s a massive piece of it for me.”
So, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the ESPN personality enjoying some herb. Doing it on-air, though, might catch viewers off guard.
Did Pat McAfee smoke weed on the air?
Pat McAfee was caught smoking weed live on ESPN 😭 pic.twitter.com/UEfc6qarc6
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) September 17, 2026
The clip does not show McAfee inhaling. There is no confirmation that he had a blunt. Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn’t.
It did not stop the internet from speculating. The video quickly went viral on social media. Some backlash was seen.
For what it’s worth, Pat’s had his “vitamins” on the show well before his partnership with ESPN. Again, it’s never confirmed to be weed on set, but dots can be connected.
WILD: Pat McAfee takes a hit of a weed pen on LIVE TV and even offers Mike McCarthy a hit as well.
😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/zWI2rTCaqH
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 25, 2025
In 2025, he was seen hitting a pen on live TV and offering it to football coach Mike McCarthy. He said it was “CBD and Vitamins” after the fact.
This time around, he used a different term.
Pat McAfee responds to viral video.
Little sage never hurt nobody…
Also
This Buffalo Bills team came out on fire in their new home.. just smokin the Lions in all phases
Josh Allen’s numbers this year might be Biblical.. is this the year Buffalo wins the whole damn thing?
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 18, 2026
“A little sage never hurt nobody,” he said in a post on social media before turning the attention to Thursday Night Football.
He does not seem worried about the headlines.
Damn, Pat really can do whatever he wants at ESPN! pic.twitter.com/4rRK9dtZGA
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) September 18, 2026
There is a segment of fans that appears upset. Others don’t seem to care. ESPN has not commented on the video.