Popular football analyst and host Pat McAfee’s tenure at ESPN got off to an awkward start when, weeks after signing him to a five-year, $85 million deal, the network laid off several high-profile and, in many cases, long-tenured employees. The timing of McAfee’s lucrative signing and the layoffs made for a bit of awkwardness that the former NFL punter tried to smooth over.
On Sunday, though, an ill-conceived joke once again brought McAfee more criticism.
Responding to a tweet from Evan Fox, a colleague on The Pat McAfee Show, disparaging alternate football uniforms worn by Michigan State, McAfee quipped that the jerseys were designed by disgraced former Spartans sports doctor Larry Nassar.
Nassar worked at the school for over two decades and, in 2017, pled guilty to 10 counts of felony criminal sexual conduct in the first degree for assaulting gymnasts for years. He also pled guilty to possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison.
I think Nassar was in on the design team actually
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 30, 2023
“I think [Larry] Nassar was in on the design team actually,” McAfee wrote.
After receiving a reply to the tweet that suggested it should be deleted, McAfee doubled down by responding with a GIF of ESPN colleague Stephen A. Smith saying, “For what?”
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 30, 2023
Unsurprisingly, the grossly insensitive tweet did not sit well with many people, given the heinous and widespread nature of Nassar’s crimes.
What’s the thought process here.. https://t.co/IplTHOHKtz
— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) July 30, 2023
Just insane that this tweet hasn’t been deleted yet https://t.co/W0EwReaHOP
— Greg Waddell (@gwizzy12) July 30, 2023
Ahhhhhh ESPN spends so wisely https://t.co/z5VcUBK2xj
— JerBear (@JD_Jerbear) July 30, 2023
ESPN sold the farm for this btw https://t.co/ead4lwG3zB
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) July 30, 2023
He sexually assaulted 265 people, including children. Cool joke man 👍🏻 https://t.co/Q1q4CcEGVX
— Wygi 2024 (@WygiZilf) July 30, 2023
Embarrassing and pathetic https://t.co/Ghz0OEzEuq
— Michigan Truther (@scumbag_unit) July 30, 2023
Hey @CollegeGameDay @espn why are you employing a guy who thinks sexual assault is a joke? https://t.co/gJnLCBs6lm
— @C_Evens (@C_EvensStevens) July 30, 2023
