Pat McAfee Under Fire for Using Expletive When Referring to Caitlin Clark
Sports analyst and former football player Pat McAfee is known for speaking his mind when he's on the airwaves. In his latest on-air rant, the commentator spoke out in defense of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. In doing so, however, he used a word that many find offensive.
McAfee aired out his honest thoughts on the June 3 episode of The Pat McAfee Show. In standing up for Clark, he took aim at pundits who try to diminish the all-time NCAA scoring record holder's accomplishments.
"I would like the media people that continue to say, 'This rookie class, this rookie class, this rookie class,'" McAfee said. "Nah, just call it for what it is. There's one white b---h for the Indiana team who is a superstar."
"Is there a chance that people just enjoy watching her play basketball because of how electrifying she is, what she did, what she stood for, how she went about going what she went for? Maybe," he added. "But instead, we have to hear people say that we all like her because she's white and she's only popular because the rest of the rookie class is doing what they're doing."
"What you have is somebody special and we're lucky she's here in Indiana," he concluded. "Well that's a bunch of bulls--t and we think the WNBA—more specifically, their refs—need to stop trying to screw her over at every single turn."
McAfee faced criticism online from people who took umbrage at his use of a degrading term for women when referring to Clark. After the backlash ensued, he clarified his language and reiterated his opinion on social media.
"I shouldn’t have used 'white b---h' as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark. No matter the context, even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening, I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe," he wrote on X. "My intentions when saying it were complimentary just like the entire segment but a lot of folks are saying that it certainly wasn’t at all. That’s 100 percent on me and for that I apologize."
He wasn't just putting his apology out into the digital ether; he also reached out to the player affected by everything. "I have sent an apology to Caitlin as well," he said, concluding, "Everything else I said… still all facts."
I shouldn’t have used “white bitch” as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark. No matter the context.. even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening.. I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 3, 2024
My intentions when saying… pic.twitter.com/F6OHB4gvYh
The Fever's next game is against the Washington Mystics on June 7.