Pat McAfee Sounds Off on Canada After Backlash: 'You Booed My Country'

Pat McAfee, the outspoken WWE commentator and former NFL punter, caused an international stir over the weekend at WWE’s Elimination Chamber event in Toronto. During the broadcast, McAfee referred to Canada as a "terrible country" after the U.S. national anthem was booed by the crowd. Naturally, the comments ignited a backlash—and McAfee didn’t shy away from doubling down.

"This is the most stacked Elimination Chamber that the WWE has ever had," McAfee said live on air. "Kinda sucks that it’s in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing." Subtle? Not exactly. Predictable? Absolutely.

The booing, which reportedly erupted during the anthem, has been linked to escalating tensions between the two countries. Recent rhetoric from former President Donald Trump characterizing Canada as the "51st state" and threatening tariffs on Canadian goods has clearly struck a nerve. And let’s be real, sports rivalries have never been known for their diplomacy.

McAfee addressed the backlash on his show, "The Pat McAfee Show," where he acknowledged the fierce responses from Canadians. "There’s been some terrible things said about me," McAfee admitted, "but I hope you understand, I was showing the same passion for my country that you were showing for yours. You booed my country."

He didn’t stop there. In his signature blunt style, McAfee drew a line in the sand: "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." Got to admire his commitment to both confrontation and reconciliation in the same breath.

McAfee also took to social media platform X to respond to critics. "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," he posted. The statement did little to calm the flames, but hey, at least he’s consistent.

The backdrop to this drama includes the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off, where U.S. and Canadian teams faced off in Montreal amid heightened political tensions. The booing at hockey games and other events seems to reflect a broader, simmering rivalry stoked by diplomatic tit-for-tats between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former President Trump.

While McAfee’s remarks have polarized fans, one thing remains clear: the sports world thrives on passion, even when it spills over into controversy. As McAfee himself said, "Let’s shake hands and move along." Whether Canadians will take him up on that offer remains to be seen.