ESPN host Pat McAfee apologized after New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers alleged âJimmy Kimmel Live!â talk show host Jimmy Kimmel was linked to late convicted sex trafficker Jeffery Epstein on his show.
In a viral clip posted by McAfee, 36, on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday, he addressed the controversy on âThe Pat McAfee Showâ and said the staff had been âfree wheelingâ in their discussions following coverage of the Rose Bowl.
âThere could be some things that were certainly, probably â I mean weâre gonna have to hear from Aaron on that â meant to be sh*t talk joke that can then become something that is obviously a very serious allegation that then leads to a massive overnight story,â McAfee said at the top of the show.
He continued:
âI can see why Jimmy Kimmel felt the way he felt, especially with his position. But I think Aaron was just trying to talk sh*t. Did it go too far? Jimmy Kimmel certainly said that was the case.â
WARNING: The following video contains vulgar language that some viewers may find offensive.
Additionally, the sports commentator suggested Kimmel, 56, and Rodgers, 40, who appears on Mcafeeâs show every Tuesday as a recurring guest, according to Deadline, have been at odds.
âWe obviously donât like the fact that weâre associated with anything negative ever. Weâd like our show to be an uplifting one, a happy one, a fun one. But itâs because we talk sh*t and try to make light of everything,â he clarified.
Furthermore, McAfee acknowledged, âSome things, obviously, people get very pissed off about, especially when theyâre serious allegations.â
âSo we apologize for being a part of it. Canât wait to hear what Aaron has to say about it. Hopefully, those two will just be able to settle this, not work-wise, but be able to chit chat, move along,â he added.
On Tuesday, Rodgers appeared on McAfeeâs show to discuss the anticipated release of a list of prominent people rumored to have associated with Epstein.
âThereâs a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, are hoping that doesnât come out,â he said in a viral clip posted on X.
Following the clipâs release, Kimmel responded to Rodgersâ statement via X.
âDear Aasshole: for the record, Iâve not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any âlistâ other than the clearly-phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself canât seem to distinguish from reality,â he wrote.
Kimmel added, âYour reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up and we will debate the facts further in court .
According to ABC News, U.S. District Judge Loretta released newly unsealed court documents with over 200 names of high-profile people who were involved in Epsteinâs sex trafficking ring. Names allegedly include former President Bill Clinton and Britainâs Prince Andrew.
In 2019, Epstein committed suicide by hanging while awaiting trial inside a jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City. He was 66.