Pat McAfee Sparks ESPN Controversy by Shirtless College GameDay Appearance in Salt Lake City

Pat McAfee, host of ESPN's College GameDay, sparked mixed reactions when he took off his shirt live on air during the show in Salt Lake City, Utah, ahead of the No. 24 Utah vs. No. 17 Cincinnati game. Utah fans chanted for him to "take it off," which McAfee enthusiastically complied with, energizing the crowd but drawing criticism from viewers and some ESPN staff who found his antics unprofessional and self-centered. McAfee responded to critics by accusing "old white people and old ESPN people" of disliking him the most. Additionally, McAfee faced boos from the local crowd after he praised BYU's freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier as the best in the Big 12, choosing BYU over Utah, which upset Utah supporters. Despite the backlash, some viewers praised McAfee's energetic and electric presence on the show. The incident highlights the divisive nature of McAfee's hosting style, which clearly polarizes fans, viewers, and colleagues alike.