Pat McAfee said Monday he hopes not to return to the University of Utah after a social media video posted ahead of ESPN’s “College GameDay” broadcast made him feel unwelcome. In describing his discomfort during Saturday’s show, McAfee also alluded to the 2025 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Utah apologized Monday night, saying it “missed the mark” with the post and taking responsibility for publishing it. The university said officials had contacted McAfee to express regret and emphasized that he and the “GameDay” crew are welcome on campus.
The now-removed video, posted to university social media accounts before “GameDay” aired from Utah’s Salt Lake City campus, asked students to imitate McAfee. One male student said he liked McAfee but thought he should stop taking his shirt off in front of college students.
Here is the video that @PatMcAfeeShow is mad about that the University of Utah instagram account posted https://t.co/QLVTtdyRVD
— #6 PICK SIX U (@therealutahutes) October 26, 2026
Utah said the video was intended to create “lighthearted engagement” about McAfee’s return to campus. It apologized for creating any impression that he was unsafe or unwelcome and said it appreciated ESPN’s coverage of the university and community.
“College GameDay” has recorded its highest ratings in recent seasons since McAfee joined the show. He has clashed with schools and their fans before: In 2023, he called Washington State “a waste of time” during a dispute over a Lee Corso joke about the Pac-12’s breakup. The remark drew particular criticism from Wazzu fans, given the school’s flag-waving tradition on the show.