Pat McAfee's Miami pool stunt during College Gameday draws mixed reactions
ESPN host strips to a Speedo and dives into the University of Miami pool after predicting the Hurricanes' win over Florida, prompting a wide range of responses online.
ESPN's Pat McAfee delivered a high-profile moment during Saturday's College Gameday from Miami, turning a campus forecast into a splashy spectacle. After correctly predicting that Miami would defeat Florida, the former NFL punter climbed the highest platform near the Hurricanes' diving pool, stripped down to a Speedo and jumped roughly 10 meters into the water as cameras rolled and fans gathered around the pool. The stunt drew laughter from his co-hosts and added a dramatic pause to the show as McAfee regained his footing and continued the broadcast from the edge of the pool.
The moment sparked a wave of social-media reaction, with viewers split on whether the stunt was playful entertainment or an inappropriate intrusion on a live daytime program. Some praised McAfee's willingness to push boundaries and keep the show unpredictable, while others argued that such antics crossed a line for television. During the incident, McAfee appeared to adjust himself in the Speedo, a detail that circulated widely online and became a focal point of memes and commentary around the broadcast.
On the field, Miami solidified a fast start to the season by improving to 4-0 with the win over Florida, while Florida dropped to 1-3 ahead of their Oct. 4 matchup with No. 8 Texas. The Hurricanes' performance Saturday underscored the robust energy surrounding the program as it hosts College Gameday on campus for big early-season tests, a dynamic that ESPN has leaned into as part of its branded approach to college football coverage.
McAfee, who has become a central figure on ESPN’s College Gameday lineup, is known for injecting entertainment into the broadcast—an approach that has repeatedly drawn both praise and critique. Saturday's Miami edition continued that pattern, blending audience engagement with on-air antics while reinforcing the show’s role as a culture and entertainment touchstone in college sports.
No disciplinary action or changes to the broadcast format were announced in the immediate aftermath of the segment, and the event has already become a talking point in discussions about the balance between entertainment and sports journalism in live television.