After feeling the wrath of social media users, Pat McAfee took to X to write, “I shouldn’t have used ‘white b***’ as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark. No matter the context.. even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening.. I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe.” He added, “My intentions when saying it were complimentary just like the entire segment but, a lot of folks are saying that it certainly wasn’t at all. That’s 100% on me and for that, I apologize… I have sent an apology to Caitlin as well.”
The next day, the host explained further on “The Pat McAfee Show” that the phrase was meant to convey how much Clark has done for the WNBA and women’s basketball. McAfee told viewers, “I did reach out to Caitlin Clark through the Fever PR, sent an apology, and then got a message back. She said it was all good, no blood, we move forward.” He went on to say that he learned from this experience and reiterated that calling Clark a “b****” was a sign of respect, as he often uses derogatory phrases to describe athletes he admires. Moving forward, he vowed to call female athletes “women” only. Despite his apologies, many still think McAfee was overtly disrespectful and are calling for him to be fired from ESPN.
