Awkward moment McAfee lists reporters fired by ESPN on First Take
Share and Follow

ESPN’s Pat McAfee may have made the network a bit uncomfortable during Tuesday’s guest appearance on First Take as he named several anchors laid off by the World Wide Leader, while dropping a few expletives as well.

‘The whole narrative all year was that because my show came to ESPN, obviously, we fired Steve Young, we fired all the people that were here and were great people at ESPN,’ McAfee told co-hosts Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim, and Shannon Sharpe.

A former NFL punter-turned-YouTube host, McAfee signed with ESPN for a reported five years and $85 million back in May – months before the network laid off several high-profile anchors as part of 7,000 job cuts by Disney. 

And as McAfee reminded the First Take crew on Tuesday, it was his show that was widely blamed for the layoffs by the public.

‘It was my show’s fault,’ McAfee sarcastically continued. ‘On Gameday, [former NFL defensive end] David Pollack got let go. David Pollack, who I am a massive fan of – one of the greatest [Georgia] Bulldogs of all time, dude who was very good to me. I took his spot.’

McAfee may have made ESPN a bit uncomfortable during his guest appearance on First Take

McAfee may have made ESPN a bit uncomfortable during his guest appearance on First Take

McAfee may have made ESPN a bit uncomfortable during his guest appearance on First Take

McAfee spoke with co-hosts (from left) Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim, and Shannon Sharpe

McAfee spoke with co-hosts (from left) Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim, and Shannon Sharpe

McAfee spoke with co-hosts (from left) Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim, and Shannon Sharpe

The Pollack firing led to significant criticism for McAfee, who was become a target for Georgia fan, particularly after he correctly predicted the Bulldogs would lose the SEC Championship to Alabama on Saturday.

‘And the Georgia fans,’ McAfee said, ‘they did not love me.’

Naturally, McAfee enjoyed his Saturday appearance on ESPN’s College Game Day, when he was booed by Bulldogs supporters after he picked the Crimson Tide to win.

‘So Georgia fans all year, not necessarily the biggest McAfee fans,’ he continued, speaking in third person. ‘That being said, I was very, very nice to them, I was very cordial to them, but in the biggest moment, in front of them all, it was a nice little reminder that: ”Hey, you can go to hell too.”’

Smith, who has his own fare share of critics, piggybacked onto McAfee’s statement.

‘It’s very cathartic to tell people to go to hell,’ Smith said.

It was then that Qerim tried to steer the direction in a more polite direction.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young (pictured) was among ESPN's layoffs

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young (pictured) was among ESPN's layoffs

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young (pictured) was among ESPN’s layoffs

Georgia Bulldogs legend David Pollack (pictured) was also among ESPN's layoffs in 2023

Georgia Bulldogs legend David Pollack (pictured) was also among ESPN's layoffs in 2023

Georgia Bulldogs legend David Pollack (pictured) was also among ESPN’s layoffs in 2023

‘OK guys,’ she said. ‘Ok, this is a Disney morning show.’

And this came only after McAfee described himself as a ‘a**hole’ as he was being introduced.

Qerim initially noticed that the tank-topped McAfee was holding the mic as opposed to wearing one, which he explained as a consequence of his wardrobe decisions.

‘Well the thing about it is, when you wear tank tops like an a**hole, it’s hard to put the [lavalier] mics on, especially when you wear two chains,’ he said. ‘So it’s been quite a task for the people here at [ESPN’s Seaport Studio in New York]. It’s been an honor to be in the same building as you guys are in.’

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
DA Alvin Bragg put criminals first — I'll end era of excuses

Alvin Bragg prioritizes criminals – I will put an end to making excuses

Last month, a Manhattan courthouse turned into a crime scene when a…
Biden's 'puppet masters' being forced to dish on his presidency

Those who influence Biden are now being required to share information about his time as president.

Republicans on Capitol Hill are set to question several of Joe Biden’s…
The faces of the heroes, victims and missing in Texas flood disaster

The people impacted by the devastating floods in Texas

Tales of devastation and heroic sacrifice continue emerge from Texas Hill Country…
US tariffs on European goods threaten to shake up the world's largest 2-way trade relationship

US Tariffs Could Disrupt the World’s Largest Two-Way Trade Partnership

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) America’s largest trade partner, the European Union, is among…
Texas rancher fights back tears describing flooded town's devastation

Texas Rancher Emotionally Describes Devastation in Flooded Town

A Texas rancher held back tears as he revealed the overwhelming destruction…
Texas school gathers supplies to help flood-impacted locals after spotlight moves on

Texas school gathers supplies to help flood-impacted locals after spotlight moves on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! As Texas families in…
Texas flash flood aftermath: Nearly a dozen campers and counselor still missing

The aftermath of a flash flood in Texas: Almost 12 campers and counselor are still missing

Dozens of people have been killed since raging floodwaters slammed a portion…
Glynn County police: 17-year-old arrested for attempted car-break in

Glynn County Police: 17-Year-Old Arrested for Trying to Break into a Car

A second suspect involved in the incident fled from police and remains…