IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
ESPN is speaking out regarding the Pat McAfee-Utah situation.
Over the weekend, the Utah Utes Instagram account posted a video featuring several students interviewed on College GameDay about McAfee. In the video, some students mocked McAfee for being “corny” and for taking off his shirt all the time.
BTW, this is the video the University of Utah put out that Pat took offense to.
Holy Charmin soft… https://t.co/Rt9gVdrKD1
— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) October 26, 2026
During the latest episode of the Pat McAfee Show, McAfee said he was uncomfortable in Utah during College GameDay after the school put out the video, and cited safety concerns due to Charlie Kirk’s shooting, which happened nearby.
“I’ve really enjoyed this college football season. Did not enjoy University of Utah,” McAfee said during Monday’s show. “Did not enjoy it.”
“You know why I didn’t like it mostly? Right before I go out there, okay, right before I go out there, I see the University of Utah’s Instagram page, okay?… They put out a video, can you do an impression of Pat McAfee? And one kid goes, ‘Ah, he’s corny.’ Another kid calls me creepy. Okay, if these kids would have done this on their own blogs, all good. I mean, everybody’s taking shots at me anyways for everything. I get it. If the two ladies that were hosting that put that out on their own blog, I’d be okay with it. Hey, you, you’re allowed to do what you— the university puts that out? Like, as I’m about to go out and do an infomercial for the place, and then I’m walking in front of thousands of these people, this is how the university feels about it?
“And then I thought to myself, has anything like really scary happened at like a college gathering in the state of Utah recently?” asked McAfee. “Like, do we think we should be amplifying reasons for why people hate my guts as a university? I don’t know.”
🚨 Pat McAfee GOES OFF on the University of Utah 😳
He says he’s never felt so uncomfortable, even bringing up what happened at UVU last year.
“I did not enjoy the University of Utah.”
HOLY SMOKES 💀 https://t.co/YCXQPM3vEH
— Bill (@Billgetzfroggy) October 26, 2026
On Monday, ESPN released a statement reacting to McAfee’s safety concerns in Utah.
Via The Athletic
“The safety and security of our on-air team, crew and fans is paramount at “College GameDay.” We are committed to ensuring a safe environment, and given the very real threats that members of our team face, we take issues involving their safety seriously. We support Pat and recognize the very real and valid concerns he has around safety and security.”
The University of Utah apologized to McAfee in a statement released to the media.
“The University of Utah is grateful to have had the chance to welcome Pat McAfee and the entire ESPN College GameDay crew to campus. ESPN College GameDay has visited our campus seven times and we have always enjoyed a terrific relationship and positive experiences with the entire crew.”
“Our goal during the visit was to create lighthearted engagement regarding Pat being back on campus, but we missed the mark. University staff are responsible for reviewing and posting content on official social media accounts and we take full accountability for that decision.”
“University officials have reached out to Pat to express appreciation and regret. We sincerely apologize for creating any perception that Pat was unsafe or unwelcome on our campus. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pat and the entire GameDay crew are always welcome at the University of Utah and we deeply appreciate the opportunity ESPN provides to showcase our university and community.”