Pat McAfee is one of the newest members of the ESPN family, and he's now got other big names who can come to his defense when he needs it.
Stephen A. Smith defended McAfee after he was criticized due to a report from the New York Post that McAfee has paid "millions" to both Aaron Rodgers and Nick Saban to appear on "The Pat McAfee Show.
On "First Take" on Tuesday, the day that Smith guests both McAfee and Shannon Sharpe, Smith said that he wanted to make a "soundbite" for McAfee to play again during his show later in the day when he's speaking with Rodgers.
"I want you to tell the public out there whose been critical and questioning your relationship to kiss your ass. They wish they had your relationship, okay. Tell them to kiss your ass twice," Smith said.
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Smith added that in the media business, McAfee's relationship with Rodgers is a relationship that many media members would want with any top athlete.
"Anybody in this business knows that all of us, anytime that you could have a relationship with an elite player who is unapologetic about the commentary he provides all of us would want those relationships. Props to you for having it and the hell with all those naysayers," Smith said.
While McAfee confirmed to The New York Post reporter Andrew Marchand that Rodgers has made "over $1 million" from guesting on his show, he's already taken shots at the reporter for taking that angle.
McAfee called the reporter "a rat" during his show on Thursday for what he claims was a report that made him look like a bad person.
Marchand's report said that McAfee texted him the information about the over $1 million that Rodgers has received.
Stephen A. Smith has an important message for the Pat McAfee-Aaron Rodgers haters. Kiss Pat McAfee's ass. Twice. pic.twitter.com/HvC0gwQqtK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 17, 2023
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