Pat McAfee didn’t hold back on Friday morning, taking a direct shot at the narratives surrounding his recent interview with LeBron James.
The former NFL punter and current ESPN host responded to criticism over his conversation with the Lakers superstar, particularly addressing the racial undertones some have injected into the discussion.
Earlier this week, James appeared on The Pat McAfee Show. He openly discussed multiple topics, including his ongoing feud with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and criticism of NBA insider Brian Windhorst. While some praised McAfee for landing the high-profile interview, others, including ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, questioned James’ choice of platform.
Pat McAfee’s Response To Online Criticism
McAfee took to social media to call out what he saw as unnecessary racial framing of his interview with James. “Good morning beautiful people,” McAfee tweeted. “I still can’t believe LeBron had a conversation with a white guy the other day.”
Good morning beautiful people..
I still can’t believe LeBron had a conversation with a white guy the other day.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 28, 2025
The comment was a pointed jab at the online discourse suggesting racial dynamics played a role in James choosing McAfee’s show over other outlets. McAfee’s remark quickly sparked debate, with some defending his stance and others accusing him of fueling unnecessary controversy.
Smith, for his part, dismissed any notion of bias or favoritism regarding McAfee’s interview. “Congratulations to Pat McAfee,” Smith said on First Take. “Anybody would’ve gotten that interview — I take no issue with the job that Pat McAfee did.” Smith emphasized that the backlash was unwarranted, praising McAfee’s professionalism and ability to secure a conversation with one of basketball’s biggest names.
Perkins, who had previously questioned James’ collaboration with former players like JJ Redick and Steve Nash on his Mind the Game podcast, has yet to respond to McAfee’s tweet. It remains unclear whether he will address the comment directly.
While debates over media coverage and athlete narratives continue, McAfee’s tweet has undoubtedly injected another layer of conversation into the sports world. His response serves as a reminder of how social media amplifies discussions and how quickly narratives can spiral beyond their original context.
