By Nunnie Robinson, The Westside Gazette Sports Editor
While watching ESPN’s Collage GameDay on Saturday, former West Virginia punter Pat McAfee either committed a Freudian slip or intentionally referred to 45 as President Trump as he (McAfee) conducted a segment of the show where a student from the home school is given the opportunity to kick a field goal for a cash prize. In this particular scenario the ante had been raised to $50,000. Just prior to the kick, McAfee posed the following question: I wonder what President Trump’s opinion of the student kicker might be? Someone immediately opined that he would probably call him a loser. You see, most student kickers fail miserably. Ironically, the student made the kick, winning the prize, all of which became secondary to me as I contemplated McAfee’s real purpose. He has a very popular sports show on ESPN, and as a fast-talking, loquacious, unfiltered personality, the network permits varying degrees of creative license regarding dress, profanity, eccentric personalities, et. al. My initial reaction to show was positive as I found his approach refreshing though I’m always leary of WWE characters like Hulk Hogan and his trumpist bent. One questionable incident involved future HOF quarterback Aaron Rodgers , who intimated, insinuated or stated that TV host Jimmie Kimmel’s name was on a soon to be released list involving Epstein, a Trump associate who was in prison for numerous sex crimes involving women and young adults. He mysteriously died in prison by suicide. Kimmel threatened a lawsuit if Rodgers didn’t cease and desist from the false allegation. Pat McAfee did nothing to hold Rodgers accountable since statement was made on his show. He’s also condemned ESPN executive Norby Williamson for endeavoring to sabotage his show, but because his ratings are sky high, the ESPN hierarchy has opted to settle the dispute internally. His ascension to ESPN resulted from his popularity on TikTok and YouTube as his show has enjoyed a higher rating than Steven A Smith’s First Take. Presently because of his staid and popularity , he is in the driver’s seat and normally he would be an afterthought as a subject of my column. But this was said on ESPN’s College GameDay, a very popular format for the myriad college football lovers including me. By referencing a convicted felon, an insurrectionist, avowed racist and admirer of dictators is concerning, insensitive and problematic. I will be vigilant on my sideline perch while wondering what the fascination is with this insidious demogugue.
