Pat McAfee calls out Adam Schefter for building narrative about Kansas City Chiefs penalties
Pat McAfee has seen his stardom rise due to his tremendously popular self-titled show on ESPN. Although NFL insider Adam Schefter is among the guests who frequent the show, he drew criticism from the host, who accused him of creating a narrative about the officiating of Kansas City Chiefs games, on Monday.
Schefter denied that he had any ill intent, noting that he was simply presenting the facts, leading McAfee to say (Timestamp: 59:00):
"Good luck in those Twitter streets as you are being attacked viciously from this entire thing. ... What facts do you present? What facts do you withhold? (That's) always a decision. That's journalism, baby. That's journalism. ... I always appreciate that: 'We’re just presenting facts.' Yeah, but which ones, though? Which ones are you withholding?"
"Because it seems like you’re potentially building a narrative with the facts that you’re choosing. What about the ones that maybe combat (what you’re saying)? Those get suppressed. ‘We’re telling the truth.’ Which truth, though? What’s the angle? Hashtag journalism, hashtag journalistic standards, and then we get questioned about it."
What did Adam Schefter say to draw criticism from Pat McAfee?
On X (Twitter) on Saturday, Adam Schefter reported that the NFL has considered making changes to expand replay assist.
"For all those complaining that Patrick Mahomes gets too many calls, relief soon could be on the way," the ESPN insider tweeted. "NFL replay assist is expected to expand this offseason into plays that could include the quarterback slide, league sources told ESPN."
He followed that up by adding:
"Penalties during Chiefs’ eight-game win streak in playoffs, via @PaulHembo: Roughing the passer: Chiefs (0) Opponents (6) Unnecessary roughness: Chiefs (1) Opponents (4)."
While Schefter simply presented facts, many took issue with how he phrased them.
The Chiefs have received plenty of criticism throughout their recent run of success, which has included three Super Bowl wins in the previous five seasons. Their 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday clinched their fifth trip to the Super Bowl in six years.
They will look to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls when they face the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII next month. If they are successful, it would mark the fourth title of Patrick Mahomes' career, tying him with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for the second most of all time.