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
Elon Musk announces formation of 'America Party'

Elon Musk Launches ‘America Party’

Tech billionaire Elon Musk said Saturday he has officially formed the “America…
Frankie Montas gives Mets' banged-up rotation a lift

Frankie Montas helps Mets’ injured pitching staff

Renovations may be imminent for the Mets’ staff as Frankie Montas stepped…
NYC voters torn over Zohran Mamdani's big plans to hike taxes on wealthy, corporations: poll

Poll shows New York City voters split on Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to increase taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations

The Democratic candidate for mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has proposed raising taxes on…
Ozempic changed my life, but my husband said the words all women fear

How Ozempic Improved My Life, But My Husband Uttered the Words Every Woman Dreads

Dear Jane, I’m in my early 30s, and after years of struggling…
Jacksonville travelers return home smoothly following July 4th

Jacksonville vacationers had a smooth journey back home after July 4th

JAX Airport smoothly handled a surge of travelers during the busiest Fourth…
JSO searching for suspect in shooting that left 1 injured

Police in Jacksonville are looking for a suspect in a shooting incident that resulted in one person being wounded.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says this happened just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday…
Elon Musk announces formation of 'America Party'

Elon Musk creates new political party called the ‘America Party’

(The Hill) Tech billionaire Elon Musk said Saturday he has officially formed…
Cops reveal new details on Sophia Hutchins' fatal ATV crash

Police share additional information about the ATV accident that resulted in the death of Sophia Hutchins

Heartbreaking details about Caitlyn Jenner’s friend and longtime manager Sophia Hutchins’ shocking…