Posted in: ABC, Disney+, Fox, NFL, Sports, TV | Tagged: Aaron Rodgers, jeffrey epstein, jimmy kimmel, opinion, pat mcafee

Jimmy Kimmel Gets Pat McAfee Apology Over Aaron Rodgers/Epstein Ordeal

Pat McAfee kicked off today's show addressing the controversy surrounding Aaron Rodgers' comments regarding Jimmy Kimmel and Jeffrey Epstein.

A day after ABC's late-night host Jimmy Kimmel called out New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers for comments that Rodgers made on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show insinuating a connection between Kimmel and the late Jeffrey Epstein, Pat McAfee took time during today's show to apologize to Kimmel and offer his side on what went down. For a little background on the topic at hand, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were convicted of sex trafficking (with Epstein dying in custody), and the court ruled that a previously sealed list of 150 associates identified as "John and Jane Does" could be unsealed beginning on January 1, 2024.

"There could be some things that were certainly, probably –  I mean, we're gonna have to hear from Aaron on that – meant to be a shit talk joke that can then become something that is obviously a very serious allegation, that then leads to a massive overnight story, one in which I put the baby down to sleep, I haven't seen her in a while, then pick up my phone and oohhhh Boy," McAfee began his show with, adding that the show's team was "rolling on two hours of sleep" heading into Tuesday's show. "We obviously don't like to be associated with anything negative ever. We'd like our show to be an uplifting one, a happy one, a fun one, but it's because we talk shit and try to make light of everything."

"Some things obviously people get very pissed off about, especially when they're that serious allegations," McAfee continued. "So we apologize for being a part of it. I can't wait to hear what Aaron has to say about it. Hopefully, those two will just be able to settle this, you know, not work-wise, but be able to chit-chat and move along." While McAfee can understand Kimmel's position on the matter, he still appears willing to give Rodgers the benefit of the doubt – even implying that Rodgers' may have seen his comments as retaliation to comments the late-night host made during his monologues. "I can understand why Jimmy got incredibly upset, yeah, I definitely completely understand that, especially with his position, but also I think Aaron is like, 'hey, this guy has said some stuff about me in his monologue,' and he's just trying to shit talk," McAfee explained. "I don't think he meant anything else, but he's gonna have to clarify that for us."

Jimmy Kimmel, Pat McAfee/Aaron Rodgers & Jeffrey Epstein Comments

At one point during the broadcast (you can check it out below beginning at around the 28:05 mark), McAfee's co-host, AJ Hawk, brought up the topic of Epstein's list being released. That appeared to bring a lot of joy to Rodgers' life, with the proud anti-vaxxer saying, "A lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, are really hoping that doesn't come out," implying that Kimmel should have concerns about being implicated in some kind of activity with Epstein & his associates. Rodgers added, "I'll tell you what, if that list comes out, I definitely will be popping some sort of bottle." Well, it didn't take too long for Kimmel to take to Twitter to call out Rodgers, not finding anything "funny" about what Rodgers was insinuating.

"Dear Aasshole: for the record, I've not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any 'list' other than the clearly phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself can't seem to distinguish from reality," Kimmel wrote in response, retweeting the clip in question that includes Rodgers' comments. "Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up, and we will debate the facts further in court."

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