Pat McAfee interrupts ‘First Take’ tribute to Bill Rasmussen at ESPN
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 18, 2026, 7:00 PM
Last updated Aug 18, 2026
Pat McAfee's show started abruptly during a tribute to ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen on ‘First Take’ on August 18, 2026. Host Courtney Cronin announced Rasmussen's passing, but as she concluded, McAfee's introduction for his show aired, creating an awkward transition. Despite the backlash, McAfee was not at fault, as his show was scheduled to start on time. The incident reflects McAfee's rising prominence at ESPN, highlighted by his recent interactions and musical endeavors.
- •Bill Rasmussen passed away shortly before the tribute on ‘First Take’.
- •Cronin spoke with Devin McCourty, Evan Cohen, and Chris Canty about Rasmussen.
- •Pat McAfee's show introduction aired during the tribute.
- •The timing issue suggests ESPN's operational difficulties.
- •McAfee is set to appear prominently on ‘College GameDay’ this season.
- 7:00 PMYahoo Sports — ESPN’s tribute to founder Bill Rasmussen abruptly cut off by ‘Pat McAfee Show’ intro
- 6:32 PMYahoo Sports — ‘First Take’ tribute to Bill Rasmussen abruptly interrupted by ‘Pat McAfee Show’
"“I know writers who use subtext, and they’re all cowards, every one of them,” is an infamously memed quote from fictional horror author Garth Marenghi. Perhaps Marenghi is moonlighting as the guy who hits the button at ESPN to transition from one show feed to the next, because you couldn’t possibly have created a more…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 18, 2026, 7:00 PMESPN’s tribute to founder Bill Rasmussen abruptly cut off by ‘Pat McAfee Show’ intro
“I know writers who use subtext, and they’re all cowards, every one of them,” is an infamously memed quote from fictional horror author Garth Marenghi. Perhaps Marenghi is moonlighting as the guy who hits the button at ESPN to transition from one show feed to the next, because you couldn’t possibly have created a more…
- Yahoo SportsAug 18, 2026, 6:32 PM‘First Take’ tribute to Bill Rasmussen abruptly interrupted by ‘Pat McAfee Show’
Pat McAfee is inevitable at ESPN.
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