The decision to suspend DeShaun Watson for just six games following accusations of sexual misconduct from multiple women has been met by many fans with anger and skepticism. On Tuesday, some of it was aimed at Pat McAfee.
The former NFL punter and current radio host said on his show that after the first segment of his Tuesday show, he began to see criticism online. Some were upset that he opened the show talking about the league’s punishment of the Miami Dolphins instead of DeShaun Watson.
“I saw some people quote tweeting our video saying ‘Oh, look at the NFL bootlickers over there at the Pat McAfee Show not talking about DeShaun Watson anymore,’” McAfee said. And then I saw people holding up the puppet emoji thing. And they’re like ‘Here’s the NFL to Pat McAfee. Move on from DeShaun.’”
Just before noon Eastern time on Tuesday, the NFL announced that the Dolphins would lose their first round draft pick in 2023. They were also fines $1.5 million. The team was found to have tampered with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and then-New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton.
“What do you want us to do? We’re a topical show? They drop this right before we go live. We gotta talk about it!” McAfee said.
He told listeners that no one at the NFL office is pulling any strings. He promised that he and his crew are not done talking about DeShaun Watson and his suspension, saying that as the appeals process plays out, it will remain very relevant news to the NFL-heavy show.
