Former ESPN broadcaster Keith Olbermann has publicly called for ESPN to terminate Pat McAfee following McAfee’s controversial comments about Canada. The incident occurred during WWE’s “Elimination Chamber” event in Toronto, where McAfee referred to Canada as a “terrible country” after fans booed the U.S. national anthem.
During the event at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, Canadian fans loudly booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” performed by American singer Elizabeth Irving. In response, McAfee, serving as a color commentator, remarked, “It kind of sucks that it’s in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing!”
Olbermann reacted strongly to McAfee’s comments, taking to social media to express his disapproval. He wrote, “A lot of us tried to warn the new ESPN management that the day would come when this idiot would draw them into a permanent political controversy and they could either be subsumed by it, or fire him. That day is today. Fire him.”
McAfee addressed the backlash on his ESPN show, acknowledging the passionate responses from Canadians. He stated, “Now, Canada, listen, there’s been some things said to me from Canadians that I guess I respect because of the passion that you have for your country — which I hope you understand that I was showing the same for mine…You booed my country.”
McAfee also expressed a desire to move past the incident, stating, “I didn’t say Canadians were terrible. I said your country was. You booed us. I said you were terrible. Let’s shake hands and move along. I still love Canadians… I hope it gets settled.”
As of now, ESPN has not publicly responded to Olbermann’s call for McAfee’s dismissal. McAfee, a former NFL punter, joined ESPN in 2023 on a five-year, $85 million contract.
Olbermann’s outrage shows the hypocrisy in sports media—criticizing America is accepted, but defending it is condemned. McAfee reacted to clear disrespect for the U.S. anthem, yet his critics focus on silencing him instead of addressing the real issue. Patriotism is under attack while anti-American sentiment is tolerated.
