Pat McAfee’s appearance alongside President Donald Trump at the Patriot Games has sparked a heated reaction from former ESPN personality Mike Ryan, who accused the event of using sports to promote the administration.
Mike Ryan Calls Out Pat McAfee
The controversy followed Tuesday night’s Patriot Games events in Geneva, Ohio, where Trump attended the championship round of the youth fitness competition.
The event, which featured $250,000 in college scholarship money, is part of the country’s semi-quincentennial celebrations.
McAfee was photographed greeting Trump near Air Force One before sitting in the front row at SPIRE Academy. Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro were also part of the executive delegation.
The appearance quickly drew attention, particularly from Ryan.
Speaking on Wednesday morning on The Dan Le Batard Show, Ryan was highly critical of the event and McAfee’s involvement.
“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. And straight up, if it were happening in another country, you would say, ‘Oh, that’s so on the nose for Putin.’ Creating this whole thing to justify and normalize his entire administration.” Mike Ryan said.
Ryan also questioned whether McAfee’s involvement should still be viewed as simply part of his role as an entertainer.
“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. Seems pretty damn willing and smart, and I’m sure he’s gonna be super defensive about it later today on his show,” he added.
Ryan’s criticism also touched on what he sees as a major difference between McAfee’s relationship with ESPN and the network’s treatment of other personalities.
When The Dan Le Batard Show operated under the ESPN banner, network executives strictly enforced “no-politics” guidelines, frequently penalizing hosts who waded into social or political commentary.
McAfee, however, has enjoyed far more freedom since signing his multi-million-dollar licensing deal with ESPN. His show has featured political figures, conversations about major policy issues, and now high-profile appearances alongside members of the Trump administration.
That long leash has helped make McAfee one of the biggest personalities in sports media, but it has also made his political involvement a frequent source of debate. McAfee’s appearance alongside Trump at the Patriot Games adds another layer to his already unusual position in sports media.
Supporters see McAfee’s involvement as part of his growing sports and entertainment platform, while critics like Ryan view it as a deliberate political crossover.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.