ESPN Stands By McAfee’s ‘Very Real and Valid’ Concerns
An ESPN spokeswoman says the network takes all threats very seriously.
ESPN has defended Pat McAfee's concerns regarding his safety after the multimedia personality voiced his frustration with the University of Utah. McAfee expressed discomfort at the university's main Instagram account mocking him during a shoot for his show, claiming he felt "uncomfortable" more than ever while there. The star also mentioned the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in September 2025, stating that he was worried about potential threats at a college gathering in Utah.
McAfee has received threatening messages, including death threats, on a regular basis, prompting the FBI to advise him to wear a bulletproof vest after the Charlie Kirk incident. ESPN spokesperson clarified that the network takes all threats seriously and supports McAfee in his safety concerns. The University of Utah issued an apology for any perception that McAfee felt unsafe or unwelcome during their visit, acknowledging their mistake in not fully realizing the light-hearted engagement they aimed for.
The school assured that they held the staff responsible for reviewing and posting content on social media accounts. McAfee and the GameDay crew are welcome back at the University of Utah, and ESPN's iconic show will return to the campus on Halloween for a game between the Hoosiers and the Golden Gophers.
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- ESPN Stands by McAfee’s ‘Very Real and Valid’ Concerns frontofficesports.com
