ESPN commentator Pat McAfee was reportedly advised by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to start wearing a bulletproof vest in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination last year, according to an individual with knowledge of the matter.
Earlier this week, McAfee referenced the Kirk incident while discussing his discomfort filming "College GameDay" live from the Utah Valley University campus.
"And then I thought to myself, has anything like really scary happened at like a college gathering in the state of Utah recently? Like, do we think we should be amplifying reasons for why people hate my guts as a university? I don’t know."
The initial report regarding the FBI's recommendation to McAfee was published by Front Office Sports.
In response, ESPN issued a statement affirming its commitment to taking all threats seriously. The network added, "We support Pat and recognize the very real and valid concerns he has around safety and security."
Safety Concerns Amid Public Appearances
The precise reasons behind McAfee's feeling of insecurity on the campus remain unspecified. However, an official university social media account had previously shared a widely circulated video where students were seen ridiculing McAfee, labeling him as "corny" after he tore his shirt off during a "College GameDay" broadcast on campus.
The 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk has reportedly intensified safety concerns among various prominent, often polarizing, public figures in media.
High Profile and Public Scrutiny
McAfee, widely considered one of the most prominent figures in sports media, frequently faces intense scrutiny and baseless accusations from online communities, particularly following his interview with former President Trump on ESPN earlier this year.
His weekly appearances include ESPN’s "College GameDay," which broadcasts live from different college campuses each week.
Requests for comment from McAfee regarding the FBI’s advice were not answered by the time of this publication.
