Keith Olbermann Demands ESPN Fire Pat McAfee for Calling Canada a ‘Terrible Country’

Keith Olbermann, perhaps the most fired man in American media history, is once again making headlines—this time calling for ESPN to fire Pat McAfee. The controversy erupted after McAfee, a popular sports host and WWE analyst, called Canada a “terrible country” over the weekend.

The incident took place in Toronto during WWE’s Elimination Chamber event. As the night began, the Canadian crowd loudly booed the Star-Spangled Banner, setting the stage for McAfee’s remarks.

“These are the most stacked Elimination Chambers that the WWE has ever had,” McAfee said while hyping up the event. “Kinda sucks that it’s in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing! But it’s gonna be a historic night for the WWE on the road to WrestleMania.”

Rather than condemning the blatant disrespect shown to the U.S. national anthem, Olbermann instead took aim at McAfee, demanding ESPN fire him for his response.

“A lot of us tried to warn the new ESPN management that the day would come when this idiot would draw them into a permanent political controversy and they could either be subsumed by it, or fire him. That day is today. Fire him,” Olbermann ranted on X (formerly Twitter).

It’s unclear if Olbermann was attempting satire when he labeled McAfee’s remarks as a “permanent political controversy.” However, assuming he was serious, it’s amusing that after decades of ESPN’s left-wing personalities pushing political narratives, he believes McAfee’s off-the-cuff remark at a scripted WWE event is where the line should be drawn.

McAfee, known for his unapologetic and energetic style, addressed the backlash on Monday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show.

“There’s been some things said to me by Canadians that I guess I respect because of the passion that you have for your country, which I hope you understand. I was showing the same for mine.

“You booed my country. Now, I heard from a lot of Canadians. During the national anthem, obviously the Rogers Centre, overwhelming boo. I mean, very loud boo. The first reaction whenever the national anthem starts up there was for some of these Canadians just to start booing. My entire life, my first reaction when somebody boos the national anthem is, f*ck you.”

McAfee’s response makes it clear—he was standing up for the United States in the face of disrespect, something he, like many Americans, takes seriously.

McAfee’s comments, while blunt, were hardly controversial in comparison to the long history of political activism at ESPN. Unlike former ESPN host Jemele Hill, who infamously labeled President Trump a “white supremacist” without consequence, McAfee’s remarks were part of a wrestling event where theatrics and hype are expected.

Moreover, McAfee brings significant value to ESPN. He is one of the network’s biggest stars and a proven financial asset, unlike Olbermann, whose career has been defined by firings and failed ventures.

So no, Keith Olbermann, McAfee won’t be fired. Not only were his words far from offensive, but he also actually makes ESPN money—something you, and many other former ESPN activists, failed to do.