Pat McAfee Cites Charlie Kirk Murder After Utah Post Ruins GameDay Visit

Pat McAfee told listeners on Monday that he felt "very, very uncomfortable" after the University of Utah posted a social media video that he linked to the 2025 killing of Charlie Kirk. The former NFL punter said the post, which asked students to do impressions of him, set him off before he went on air in Salt Lake City for the "College GameDay" broadcast.

McAfee said the Instagram clip included comments calling him "corny" and "creepy." He noted that the university removed the video after he saw it. He argued that while he might have tolerated students sharing such remarks on their own, the university amplified the hostility just as he prepared to promote the school to thousands of fans.

"The university puts that out, like as I’m about to go out and do an infomercial for the place, and then I’m walking in front of thousands of these people," McAfee said on "The Pat McAfee Show." He added that the situation created an uncomfortable feeling.

The host drew a direct line to the September 2025 shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed at Utah Valley University in Orem. That location is about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. McAfee asked if anything "really scary" had happened at a college gathering in the state recently. He questioned why the university would amplify reasons for people to dislike him under those circumstances.

"I was very, very uncomfortable," he said. "I think it made me not have the greatest morning."

The University of Utah issued a statement on its official Instagram account apologizing for the post. The school said its goal was "lighthearted engagement" but that it "missed the mark." University staff accepted full accountability for the content decision. Officials said they reached out to McAfee to express regret and ensure he knew he and the "College GameDay" crew were always welcome.

McAfee said he hoped he never has to return to the campus, joking that he might have caught COVID if the show goes back. He also criticized a student during his "Kicking Is Easy" contest for questioning why the field goal prize was "only $1 million." Despite the friction, he called the student section "incredible" and praised the fans. Utah defeated Houston 21-13 on Saturday.