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Pat McAfee draws criticism after appearing to smoke live on ESPN

4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 18, 2026, 7:26 AM

Last updated Sep 18, 2026

Pat McAfee draws criticism after appearing to smoke live on ESPN
Summary

During a live episode of "The Pat McAfee Show" on ESPN, viewers noted that Pat McAfee seemed to be smoking on set. The clip, which circulated widely online, sparked discussions among sports fans about whether he was smoking marijuana. While some criticized McAfee for his actions, others defended him. Past incidents include McAfee previously being seen smoking during the 2025 NFL Draft and acknowledging his use of marijuana in interviews. As of now, neither ESPN nor McAfee has commented on the incident.

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Yahoo Sports
Status Watch
  • •The clip from the show gained over 1 million views on social media.
  • •Criticism primarily revolves around potential disciplinary action for on-air behavior.
  • •McAfee has been open about his use of marijuana in past interviews.
  • •He has previously been seen smoking at significant events, including the NFL Draft.
Latest Updates
  • 7:26 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Never hurt nobody’ – Pat McAfee addresses ESPN smoking allegations
  • 7:24 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Pat McAfee Is the Most Powerful Person Other Than Donald Trump’ — 2-Time Super Bowl Champion Reacts to ESPN Star’s Latest Controversy
  • 2:21 AMYahoo Sports — Fans react ‘What about the kids?’ after Pat McAfee’s apparent smoking moment live on ESPN goes viral
  • 12:47 AMYahoo Sports — Pat McAfee facing backlash after viewers catch him apparently smoking live on ESPN
What they're saying
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"} Pat McAfee has sparked a wave of reactions after viewers appeared to catch him smoking during his live ESPN show, with fans split over whether the moment was appropriate for daytime television. A clip from Thursday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show quickly spread online, with more than one million views on X as viewers debated what McAfee appeared to be smoking.

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Pat McAfee is certainly proving a divisive figure among NFL fans this season due to just how much air time he is getting on ESPN. The former NFL punter has been catapulted into presenter jobs since his retirement, but some now feel he is pushing his luck.

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Pat McAfee has once again found himself at the center of a controversy after viewers appeared to catch him smoking during his live show. The clip went viral, leading to a debate over the former NFL punter’s on-air moment.

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