Sports · American Football · 2 hrs ago
Pat McAfee says Utah visit left him feeling unsafe after school video
Pat McAfee said a University of Utah video made him feel unwelcome before ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast in Salt Lake City.
The video invited students to imitate McAfee, with some calling him “corny” and criticizing his on-air behavior.
McAfee said the criticism itself was not the issue; he objected to the university sharing it as he prepared to appear before a large crowd and promote the school.
He connected his safety concerns to the 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, and an unnamed source told Front Office Sports that the FBI advised McAfee to wear a bulletproof vest in the week after the killing.
McAfee has said he regularly receives threatening messages, while ESPN said it takes threats to its on-air team seriously and supports him.
The university removed the video and apologized, saying its attempt at lighthearted engagement had missed the mark and that McAfee is welcome on campus.
Utah beat Houston 21-13, and the university said it had contacted McAfee to express regret.
The FBI advised Pat McAfee to wear a bulletproof vest in the week after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, according to a report by Front Office Sports.
McAfee described feeling unsafe before an ESPN College GameDay broadcast at the University of Utah after the university shared a video mocking him.
The video, posted before the Saturday broadcast in Salt Lake City, featured students criticizing McAfee and was later removed.
The University of Utah apologized and said McAfee and the GameDay crew were welcome on campus.
ESPN said the safety of its on-air team, crew and fans was paramount and that it supported McAfee.
- Who
- Pat McAfee, an ESPN host. Front Office Sports reported that the FBI advised him to wear a bulletproof vest.
- What
- McAfee said a university-posted video mocking him made him uncomfortable before a College GameDay broadcast.
- When
- The broadcast took place on Saturday; the articles were published on October 27 and 28, 2026.
- Where
- The University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Why
- McAfee objected to the university sharing the video before he appeared to promote its football program. He said the post made him feel unwelcome and raised safety concerns.
Pat McAfee
University of Utah
University video
Pat McAfee
McAfee said the post mocking him made him uncomfortable as he prepared to appear before a crowd.
University of Utah
The university said it aimed for lighthearted engagement but missed the mark, and apologized.
Welcome on campus
Pat McAfee
McAfee said he hoped never to return and recalled feeling deeply uncomfortable.
University of Utah
The university said McAfee and the GameDay crew were always welcome and that it regretted creating any perception that he was unsafe or unwelcome.
Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University, according to the articles.
Front Office Sports reported that the FBI advised McAfee to wear a bulletproof vest.
McAfee appeared on College GameDay in Salt Lake City before Utah beat Houston 21-13.
McAfee discussed his uncomfortable experience on his show.
- Reported FBI advice
- Bulletproof vest
- Person advised
- Pat McAfee
- University
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City
- Game result
- Utah beat Houston 21-13
- Video
- Removed by the university
4 sources
Everybody hates Pat: is a cabal of college kids really trying to bring down ESPN’s star meathead?
Pat McAfee’s Alleged Death Threats and Bulletproof Vest Warning Come to Light Amid Utah Controversy: Report
FBI urged Pat McAfee to wear bulletproof vest in wake of Charlie Kirk assassination, report claims after his torrid College GameDay show in Utah
What people are saying
The safety and security of our on-air team, crew and fans is paramount at College GameDay
We support Pat and recognize the very real and valid concerns he has around safety and security.
We sincerely apologize for creating any perception that Pat was unsafe or unwelcome on our campus.
I've never been more uncomfortable, honestly, in my life, walking in front of a group of people after watching their university put out a post, basically dogging me just moments before
Posts on X
Here is the video that @PatMcAfeeShow is mad about that the University of Utah instagram account posted