ESPN’s popular college football pregame show, College Gameday, is set to return next week as the crew heads to Dublin, Ireland, for the season opener. Among the familiar faces is the always divisive Pat McAfee, whose presence on the show has sparked both praise and criticism since he joined the panel.
McAfee, known for his energetic and unconventional style, has become a polarizing figure in sports media, with fans either loving or hating his antics on College Gameday.
This love-it-or-hate-it dynamic was on full display recently when McAfee posted a shirtless photo on Instagram from the College Gameday set. The post, shared by McAfee, College Gameday, and ESPN’s College Football account, quickly attracted a flurry of comments, many of which were critical of McAfee’s role on the show.
Rather than ignoring the negativity, McAfee chose to engage with some of his detractors, offering sharp and witty responses that showcased his trademark humor and confidence. According to Awful Announcing, one commenter expressed their frustration by saying, “damn he makes me angry.” McAfee’s response was direct and self-aware: “I’ve been with me a long time.. You’re definitely not the only one. Good news is, I’d probably hate you too.”
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When another commenter insulted McAfee by calling him a redneck and suggesting he should keep his shirt on during the show, McAfee replied with a sarcastic twist, acknowledging the viewer’s discontent while pointing to the show’s strong ratings. “Damn shame… I don’t love that you’ve stopped watching. Maybe we’ll be able to get you back this year. If so, we’ll have the third straight season of highest ratings ever. WE NEED YA,” he quipped.
College Gameday has been a ratings powerhouse for ESPN, and the 2023 college football season was no exception. The show drew an average of 2.0 million viewers, making it the second most-watched season since 2011, just behind the record-setting 2022 season, which averaged 2.1 million viewers. McAfee’s presence, while controversial, has undoubtedly contributed to the show’s continued success.
Another commenter, who claimed that McAfee’s antics made them physically ill, received a typically cheeky response from McAfee: “Could’ve been the mirror you walked by,” he retorted, demonstrating his willingness to take on critics head-on.
Despite the mixed reactions, McAfee is set to return to College Gameday this season, putting to rest any uncertainty about his future with the show. Last October, McAfee hinted that he might leave the program after the 2023 season, leaving fans wondering about his next move. However, in July, McAfee confirmed that he would be back on one of ESPN’s most beloved shows.
In addition to his role on College Gameday, McAfee also brought The Pat McAfee Show to ESPN in 2023 under a separate deal that allows the network to license his daily show. His continued involvement with ESPN underscores his growing influence in sports media, even as he remains a polarizing figure among viewers.
Love him or hate him, Pat McAfee’s return to College Gameday ensures that the upcoming season will be anything but dull.
As the show kicks off in Dublin, fans can expect more of the high-energy, boundary-pushing content that has become McAfee’s trademark—whether they’re tuning in to cheer him on or to see what he’ll do next.
