Editor’s note: A previous version of this story indicated may have been referring to illegal immigration but in fact he seems to be referring to America’s military against his enemies.
ESPN’s “College GameDay” has been in hot water since committing the egregious sin of hosting Texas Senator Ted Cruz on the program to discuss the Protect College Sports Act.
The pageantry for “College GameDay” is unmatched. The show is in the heart of campuses across the country, with tailgaters, students, and opposing fans packing in like sardines around the set, holding clever signs hoping to be featured on the broadcast. It’s a spectacle and recently, it’s become a very polarizing program to some Americans. On Saturday morning at Ole Miss, which will play the most anticipated game of the season (so far) against Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers, Pat McAfee added more fuel to the fire.
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Early in the broadcast, the Mississippi National Guard was featured flying over the “College GameDay” set. Flyovers seem to be fairly routine for the program, with personalities like McAfee going out of their way to honor our military.
As the National Guard got closer to the set with the raucous crowd chanting “”USA! USA! USA!,” host Rece Davis said jokingly, “It’s only for pageantry. They’re just sending in the Mississippi National Guard for the pageantry of it.”
Then McAfee made a comment that, not-so-surprisingly, has Americans on the left side of the political aisle losing their minds. “We certainly appreciate the hell out of the American military. And if you’re not the United States of America and you hear that sound, your ass better run.”
Davis followed up McAfee’s comment with, “That’s the one thing the two sides here can agree on, for sure.”
Pat McAfee of “College GameDay” smiles before the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Mississippi Rebels at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Oct. 18, 2025. (Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos)
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Whether it was an overt statement regarding illegal immigration, I do not know. McAfee is not available for comment as of the writing of this article, but one thing is for sure, it struck a nerve with many online.
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One X user said, “Gameday quickly [becoming] Fox News Sports. Embarrassing.”
Another said, “Kinda sad I don’t look forward to College Gameday because of blatant propaganda pushing like this.”
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Someone else who wasn’t a fan stated, “Lose me with this jingoistic, macho bulls***.”
A flyover takes place before the start of the football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners at Bryant Denny Stadium. (Butch Dill/Getty Images)
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If you don’t get chills hearing the patriotic chants and showcase of American exceptionalism, there’s something wrong with you. These moments of highlighting our brave men and women in uniform, as well as the strength of our military is what sets “College GameDay,” and college football in general, apart from other programs and sports.
Maybe McAfee was just talking about America’s enemies, taking a jab that they should be shaking in their boots when the red, white, and blue come to take care of business militarily.
Pat McAfee makes his entrance during WrestleMania 42 Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
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Love him or hate him, McAfee is always making headlines. He’s leapfrogged Stephen A. Smith as the most prominent and influential personality at ESPN and in sports media. He’s one of a kind and there’s no doubt he loves America and its military.