A media spat over ESPN’s Pat McAfee has turned into a broader argument about cable news pundits weighing in on sports — and it’s pulled Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz into the crossfire.
MS NOW’s Joe Scarborough used part of his “Morning Joe” airtime this week, amid midterm election coverage, to go after McAfee, the former Indianapolis Colts punter who has become one of ESPN’s most visible personalities through his work on “College GameDay.” Scarborough claimed McAfee had “ruined College Gameday” and framed the backlash to McAfee’s on-air persona as part of a broader rejection of the “manosphere” culture he says has taken hold since 2024.
OutKick commentator Dan Dakich didn’t let the comments slide. Dakich, host of “Don’t @ Me,” fired back at Scarborough and his co-hosts directly.
“Four dudes that know absolutely nothing about football are trying to chime in on social events that football people are talking about. They look like idiots.”
Dakich also disputed a specific claim Scarborough made on air — that McAfee had reacted to being “offended” by fans holding up signs during a GameDay appearance.
“Nobody held a sign up. The University of Utah put out an official post on their official X account of kids coming at Pat McAfee.”
Dakich then drew a comparison to Walz, who became a prominent surrogate for Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign and frequently leaned into an everyman, outdoorsman image during that run.
“This is just like little Timmy Walz trying to be a ‘real boy.'”
The exchange is the latest flashpoint in a running feud between McAfee and critics who object to his growing footprint across ESPN’s programming, including a recent incident in which McAfee referenced the killing of Charlie Kirk during an “uncomfortable” visit tied to a post from the University of Utah.
For now, the back-and-forth remains confined to commentary rather than any formal response from ESPN, MS NOW, or Walz’s office.
