Pat McAfee saw the “terrible things that were said about me” after he blasted Canada due to fans in Toronto booing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a WWE’s Elimination Chamber on Saturday night.
During Monday’s installment of “The Pat McAfee Show,” the ESPN personality — who called Canada a “terrible country” while sitting at the announcer’s desk during the pay-per-view event — stood by his comments and explained how things got so heated.
“Now Canada listen, there’s been some things said to me from Canadians that I guess I respect because of the passion that you have for your country — which I hope you understand that I was showing the same for mine. You booed my country,” McAfee said, adding that the boos were “overwhelming” and “very loud” at Rogers Centre.
“My entire life when somebody boos the national anthem is ‘f–k you’ … So anytime I’ve heard somebody boo our national anthem my national reaction is, ‘let’s fight.’”
McAfee acknowledged the political climate between the United States and Canada since President Trump’s repeated remarks about wanting to make Canada “the 51st state.”
“I understand that there is political differences at the current moment between us and Canada… But I feel like anytime I think of Canada… I don’t think immediately think what Canada is doing in the political sphere. I think of the people of Canada… I think of the magical times I had up in Niagara Falls as a teenager… I think about good times,” McAfee said.
“… I understand, now, from the Canadians that they have a lot more passion for their country than I could have imagined. A lot of terrible things have been said about me and I understand it.
“… I didn’t say Canadians were terrible, I said your country was. You booed us, I said you were terrible, let’s shake hands and move along. I still love Canadians… I hope it gets settled.”
McAfee added that he has a deep respect for the national anthem because of the many military members and veterans he’s met while living in Indiana.
“I’m very proud and thankful that I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States of America.. Canadians have a lot of passion for their country and I understand it.. You booed our country and I said you’re terrible..” McAfee wrote on X.
The former NFL punter made waves immediately after American singer Elizabeth Irving performed the U.S.’ national anthem at the WWE showcase.
McAfee shot up from his chair and ripped Canada over the loud downpour of boos, which became loudest when Irving sang the line “…and the rocket’s red glare.”
“This is the most stacked Elimination Chamber that the WWE has ever had,” McAfee said on the Peacock-aired broadcast. “Kinda sucks that it’s in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing.”
This wasn’t the first instance of boos between Canadians and Americans at sporting events following Trump’s threat to levy heavy tariffs on goods from Canada.
During the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last month, Canadians booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the clash between the U.S. and Canada.
Last month, Canadian fans also booed the American national anthem at an Ottawa Senators game.
