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Pat McAfee proved to be a divisive figure once again as ESPN's College GameDay rolled into Utah on Saturday. The popular college football program hit Salt Lake City this weekend to preview No. 24 Utah's clash against the No. 17 Cincinnati Bearcats. Despite the show kicking off at the break of dawn Mountain Time, the Utes' student body was wide awake and in raucous voice. And, it appears, so was McAfee. The host, who is known for his brash antics, didn't let the early start dampen his mood, either. As he was making his introduction, the Utah fans chanted for McAfee to 'take it off.' And the ESPN personality was more than happy to grant their wish as, just minutes into the program, he clambered onto the desk, ripped off his jacket and began to strip off his shirt. However, the wild scenes drew heavy criticism from some viewers on social media, who hit out at the former NFL punter for his 'ego.' 'Can’t believe this is what yall are going for. This is annoying, bring back college game day,' one furious fan posted on X. 'There’s thousands of us that watch College GameDay that are so sick of this s***,' claimed another, while a third added: 'Can’t stand this guy.' Many others took to the social media platform to urge the host to put his shirt back on as they tuned in to the morning show. 'Please put your shirt back on it’s to (sic) early I’m just having my first cup of coffee,' one social meida user wrote. 'u crave attention it’s too early not a fan.' 'Puh-leeze put that shirt back on! Ugh,' another disgusted viewer pleaded, while one added: 'Put a shirt on, you overgrown manchild f***.' However, not everyone was opposed to McAfee's wild behavior as others embraced his antics, even going as far as to praise his on-air talent. 'This is hands down the best pre-game sports show. It's not even close. This group is electric,' one enthused. '@PatMcAfeeShow hands-down, the goat of all TV personalities,' claimed another. Meanwhile, a third shared that 'college gameday is the best,' as a fourth hailed it as 'Very funny stuff from Pat as always.' McAfee's theatrics came amid reports that ESPN executives are growing frustrated with the 'entitled diva.' McAfee hinted at renewed tensions with 'old, white' executives behind the scenes at ESPN in a video posted to Instagram last month - having previously accused a former exec of trying to sabotage his show back in 2024. Network chiefs hit back at McAfee's claims that the people who 'hate me the most at this stage of life' are 'old white people and old ESPN people'. Just a few days after his viral rant, reports suggested that ESPN producers have been irked by the comments and called out McAfee for acting like 'a victim'. In regard to McAfee's rant, a source told Front Office Sports : 'Totally unnecessary. Grow up and talk to these people to make it better. You are not a victim. 'Everyone is bending over backwards to put you in a good position - and these same people are incentivized for you to succeed.
