ESPN host Pat McAfee released a lengthy statement on Wednesday, clarifying the situation with Aaron Rodgers after a drama-filled week. After Rodgers delivered his comments in response to Jimmy Kimmel on his Tuesday appearance of The Pat McAfee Show, the show announced that the Jets QB won’t be on the show for the remainder of the season.
The news sparked outrage for some fans of the show who took it as the host capitulating to those who’d like to see Rodgers “canceled,” but according to McAfee, the four-time league MVP was only scheduled to appear through the end of the Jets’ season.
The host took to social media to clarify that there isn’t a rift between Rodgers and the show after his comments last week, which tied Kimmel to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
“Our fans know that (Aaron Rodgers Tuesdays) ends shortly after Aaron’s team’s season ends.. that’s how it’s been,” McAfee posted on Wednesday. “He’ll make random surprise welcomed pop ins during big events or offseason adventures but, it’s always been a season thing. I never said he’ll never be on the show again. I hope he chooses to still chat with us. We’ve been lucky the last 4 years to ride the wave of a season with a 4X NFL MVP (2 of which during The ART Era) and get his thoughts along the way.. in real time.”
McAfee: ‘Nobody’s wanting… to hear us talk about politics’
For anyone who tuned into Rodgers’ appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, they were treated to a conversation between the hosts and QB that tarried on the Kimmel drama, COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, the nefarious heads of ESPN, censorship and more.
After the broadcast, the show’s host posted on social media that he understands most people don’t tune in to hear about topics other than sports.
“I haven’t polled our crowd but I’m rather certain that nobody’s wanting to come hangout with us to hear us talk about politics,” McAfee wrote. “I think it’s probably a massive reason for our success actually… so all of this has been a good reminder of what we’re good for, and who we’re good for. Some day, I’ll try and build up enough of a brain to dive into the politics world but that time is nowhere near now..
“I certainly don’t love that I’ve found myself in political wars and public beefs because of something that a guest has said on our show or something that my dumb--- has said.. including a lawsuit that was VERY public..” McAfee continued. “but I think what I’ve come to realize is that it’s gonna come with the territory of this venture. We are much more aware of that now. And, for the good of our lives, happiness, and mana.. we’re gonna try and avoid as many as possible.”
More must-reads: