Pat McAfee, known for his bold and sometimes controversial takes, recently clarified that neither ESPN nor its executives had told him to stop discussing Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark on his show. Instead, McAfee humorously claimed that it was “God” and “the universe” who advised him to hold back.
On a recent episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” McAfee joked that the divine intervention came after a past incident where he referred to Clark in a way that sparked backlash. He had previously opened a segment with what he intended to be a complimentary monologue about Clark but used language that some found offensive. He quickly apologized for his choice of words, acknowledging that while his intentions were positive, the delivery was flawed.
During a conversation with sports broadcaster Rich Eisen, McAfee revisited the topic, playfully saying that the universe had suggested he stop discussing Clark. He further admitted that his own careless language and poor choices had led to unnecessary chaos, prompting him to reconsider his approach.
Despite speculation that ESPN may have pressured McAfee to avoid the topic, the former NFL punter emphasized that the network had no influence over his show’s content. McAfee reiterated on social media that the decision to refrain from talking about Clark was his own, driven by the realization that his previous comments had caused more trouble than intended.
McAfee’s remarks came as Clark continues to shine in her rookie season, drawing significant attention and praise, including from McAfee himself, who remains an admirer of her talents despite the controversy.
