NFL analyst Pat McAfee faced significant backlash this week after appearing alongside U.S. President Donald Trump at the “Patriot Games” finale held in Ohio on Tuesday. The interaction, which saw McAfee greeting the president upon arrival and walking with him during the opening ceremonies before taking a seat next to him, drew immediate reactions on social media.
Former ESPN host Mike Ryan criticized the analyst during an appearance on "The Dan Le Batard Show" on Wednesday. Ryan accused the media personality of acting as a tool for political messaging, stating, “It’s just using sport literally as propaganda with the supreme leader watching from the stands, a vision of what America ‘should’ look like, and it’s hugely embarrassing.” He further suggested that the optics were similar to state-sponsored narratives, adding, “And Pat McAfee is right there beside him being a pawn, willing or unwilling. I think we’re at the point where we need to stop underselling whether or not he’s willing.”
In response to the criticism, McAfee defended his presence at the event. He maintained that the "Patriot Games" was a positive initiative focused on promoting youth fitness and distributing scholarships, an effort supported by his partners at Disney, ABC, and ESPN. While McAfee has not identified himself as a supporter of the president, the two have established a connection, with Trump previously appearing as a guest on McAfee’s show last year.
Separately, McAfee recently weighed in on the Green Bay Packers on his show this past Monday. He suggested that the team continues to miss the presence of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who departed the franchise in April 2023. McAfee noted that beyond the technical skills and leadership Rodgers provided during his 18-season tenure—which included four MVP honors and a 2011 Super Bowl win—the team may specifically be missing the unique energy and "hijinks" that Rodgers brought to practice sessions. Following his time in Green Bay, Rodgers spent two years with the New York Jets and played the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he recently confirmed that the 2026 season would mark his final year in the NFL.
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