Pat McAfee is apologizing to Jimmy Kimmel for the role he and his ESPN show played in escalating the late-night TV host's feud with Aaron Rodgers, resulting in Kimmel threatening legal action over the NFL star's Jeffrey Epstein remark.
The ESPN personality began Wednesday's Pat McAfee Show by saying that he and his team were "rolling on two hours of sleep" for the Tuesday show that featured Rodgers, and that the program's trademark off-the-cuff segments that have little to no planning -- coupled with little sleep after covering Monday's epic Rose Bowl game -- perhaps led to a segment that may have crossed the line.
"There could be some things that were certainly, probably -- I mean, we're gonna have to hear from Aaron on that -- meant to be a s**t talk joke that can then become something that is obviously a very serious allegation, that then leads to a massive overnight story, one in which I put the baby down to sleep -- I haven't seen her in a while -- then I pick up my phone and oh boy," McAfee said. "But I can see exactly why Jimmy Kimmel felt the way he felt, especially with his position. But I think Aaron's just trying to talk s**t. Now, did it go too far? Jimmy Kimmel certainly said that was the case ... but that is Aaron and Jimmy, they've been, I don't know, you know? So, we obviously don't like the fact that we're associated with anything negative ever. We'd like our show to be an uplifting one, a happy one, a fun one, but it's because we talk s**t and try to make light of everything."
He continued, "Some things, obviously, people get very pissed off about, especially when they're that serious allegations. So, we apologize for being a part of it. I can't wait to hear what Aaron has to say about it. Hopefully those two will just be able to settle this, you know, not court-wise, but be able to chit chat and move along."
During Tuesday's episode, the New York Jets quarterback, a weekly guest on the show, strongly suggested Kimmel could be among those who traveled with the disgraced billionaire and pedophile. When the previously-sealed court documents are made public any day now, hundreds of names connected to Epstein are set to be exposed, including some notable public figures.
"There's a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel [that] are really hoping that doesn't come out," said Rodgers on Tuesday's show. "I'll tell you what, if that list comes out, I definitely will be popping some sort of bottle."
The Kimmel-Rodgers feud began in November 2021, when the comedian labeled Rodgers a "Karen" over the quarterback's stance on the COVID-19 vaccines. They've since gone back-and-forth ripping each other, but things reached a boiling point Tuesday following Rodgers' Epstein claim, prompting Kimmel to speak out on social media.
"Dear Aasshole: for the record, I’ve not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any 'list' other than the clearly-phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself can’t seem to distinguish from reality," Kimmel tweeted.
He added, ""Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up and we will debate the facts further in court. @AaronRodgers12."
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