Pat McAfee Discusses Intense Fallout from Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel's Feud on 'The Pat McAfee Show'

Pat McAfee Couldn t Sleep Over Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel s Feud The Block got Real hot 258

Pat McAfee, Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel. Getty Images (3)

Pat McAfee opened up about the drama involving Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel on the "All the Smoke" podcast episode on Thursday, February 29. He talked about the speculation that he might lose his job at ESPN due to controversy caused by Rodgers on The Pat McAfee Show in January.

"People are already doubting its success and longevity because of the conflict between Aaron and Jimmy Kimmel on our show," McAfee mentioned, highlighting the link between ESPN and Kimmel's network, ABC.

McAfee also mentioned that there was a lot of drama during that time, noting that things got intense for about three weeks.

McAfee admitted that he lacks education in broadcasting. He expressed doubts about deserving his platform, feeling unsure about his knowledge. This uncertainty kept him up at night, causing him to question if he was making mistakes.

Earlier this year, Rodgers created buzz by suggesting on McAfee's show that Kimmel should be concerned about being linked to Jeffrey Epstein's alleged associates. This comment stirred speculation about Kimmel's potential involvement.

Rodgers expressed excitement about the possibility of the list being released during the January 2 episode. He mentioned that he would celebrate by opening a bottle.

Afterwards, Kimmel took to social media to criticize Rodgers and even mentioned taking legal action. On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he referred to the New York Jets athlete as "ignorant" and "hamster-brained".

Kimmel stated in a lengthy monologue on January 8 that he does not know Jeffrey Epstein, has never met him, and was not involved in any activities with him. He suggested that if Aaron wanted to make false statements, they should be addressed in court with proof presented to a judge. Kimmel expressed concern about the impact of such damaging statements, especially coming from someone with Aaron's background in winning a Super Bowl and appearing in State Farm commercials.

In response to Kimmel's comments, McAfee issued an apology on his own show that same month. He acknowledged Kimmel's perspective, understanding the need to address the situation. McAfee mentioned that while their show aims to be uplifting and fun, they also engage in playful banter that may sometimes go too far. Despite their intention to keep the show positive, McAfee admitted that they do discuss controversial topics and try to infuse humor into various situations.

Pat McAfee Couldn t Sleep Over Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel s Feud The Block got Real hot 257

Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for SiriusXM

McAfee announced on January 10 that Rodgers would not be appearing on The Pat McAfee Show for the rest of the season due to controversy. However, just one day later, Rodgers made a surprise appearance to talk about Bill Belichick's departure from the New England Patriots after 24 years as head coach.

Rodgers was a regular guest on the show and reportedly earned a seven-figure salary for his appearances. According to the New York Post, McAfee mentioned in October 2023 that Rodgers had definitely made over $1,000,000 from his appearances on the show.

Reflecting on the scandal, McAfee shared on “All the Smoke” that fans have a unique reaction to his show. He mentioned, “I believe we offer a different style of programming. We focus on conversation. There's no set direction, no prepared questions, no list to follow. It's simply a natural conversation with guests. This approach has led us into some trouble but also brought about some amazing moments.”

Editor's P/S:

The drama involving Aaron Rodgers, Jimmy Kimmel, and Pat McAfee highlights the delicate balance between entertainment and responsibility in sports broadcasting. Rodgers' comments on Kimmel's alleged