Pat McAfee Issues Public Apology To College Student

After amplifying a viral rumor about 18-year-old Mary Kate Cornett on his show earlier this year that she says "derailed" her life, Pat McAfee issued another apology to the Ole Miss freshman and her family on Wednesday.

Back in February, McAfee spread the story of an unnamed girl on the Rebels' campus "allegedly" having sex with her boyfriend's dad. Which led to threats of legal action over the unsubstantiated claims and months of back-and-forth before the ex-Colts punter took to his self-titled show sounding much more contrite than he did the first time around.

"As a Girl Dad, I was very thankful for the opportunity to let Mr. Cornett know that I was wildly regretful for the part that our show played in his daughter, Mary Kate's, pain," McAfee began (via Awful Announcing).

"I'm very thankful that [the Cornett family] gave me the opportunity to tell them how sorry I was that this all happened and that our progrum was a part of this," he continued. "I deeply regret the pain that was caused. I hated watching what our show was a part of in her interviews..."

"My hope is that this can be something that we all learn from going forward. I know we certainly have..." McAfee concluded. "Thank you to the Cornetts for allowing me to introduce myself... and let you know I am so sorry that we were part of this portion, in story, in chapter, of your family's life."