Pat McAfee explained how being a “girl dad” helped him realize the error of his ways after spreading an unfounded rumor about an Ole Miss college student.
In February, McAfee, 38, discussed a viral story about Mary Kate Cornett allegedly sleeping with her boyfriend’s dad. The story gained even more traction after McAfee mentioned it on his ESPN talk show.
Cornett said McAfee was “ruining her life” by discussing the rumor, which she denied from the start.
“I have since learned that the story was not true and that my show played a role in the anguish caused to a great family and especially to a young woman, Mary Kate Cornett,” McAfee said Wednesday, July 23, on The Pat McAfee Show. “I think you all know from tuning into this program that I never want to be a source of negativity or contribute to another human’s suffering.”
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He continued, “I can now happily share with you that I recently got to meet Mary Kate and her family. I got a chance to sincerely apologize to them and acknowledge that what I said about Mary Kate was based solely on what others were saying on the internet or had been previously reported by others, and that we had no personal knowledge about Mary Kate or her personal life.”
McAfee detailed how his own experience as a father played a role in his desire to meet with the Cornett family in person. The former NFL punter and his wife, Samantha McAfee, share daughter Mackenzie, 2.
“As a girl dad, I was also very thankful for the opportunity to let Mr. Cornett know that I was wildly regretful for the part that our show, our program played in his daughter Mary Kate’s pain,” Pat said.
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Pat admitted it was “a fair question” to ask why it took him and his show so long to address the controversy and Cornett herself.
“As you might imagine, there was a lot going on behind the scenes since this all happened,” Pat explained. “The most important element on the timing is that I personally, a decision that I made, wanted to talk to the family first before addressing it publicly. I can now say I had the opportunity to meet with them, chat with them, and they’re wonderful people.”
Pat suggested the story could provide some wisdom and insight to his viewers as well.
“My hope is that this can be something we can all learn from going forward,” he said. “I know we certainly have. Our goal with this show is to make the world a happier place, a better place to celebrate life and sports and to unify folks. I, and we, don’t always get it right. But we’ll never stop trying.”
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