In a recent simulcast of "The Pat McAfee Show" and "The Rich Eisen Show," the hosts touched on WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
Both McAfee and Eisen expressed support for the Indiana Fever guard. However, McAfee mentioned the "universe" told him not to discuss Clark on his ESPN segments anymore.
Back in June, McAfee praised Clark for boosting the WNBA's popularity.
"There's one white b**** for the Indiana team, who is a superstar," McAfee said. He noted that Clark carried an entire state on her back and turned a struggling team into a success story, breaking records along the way.
Despite his praise, McAfee's choice of words sparked backlash.
He later apologized, and his WNBA coverage went silent.
"Well, the universe told me not to talk about her," McAfee explained during the August 21 simulcast. "God came in and was like, 'You know what, pal? Probably go ahead and stop it.'"
Some, like Awful Announcing, thought "universe" and "God" referred to ESPN's management.
"Pat McAfee appears to confirm that ESPN told him to stop talking about Caitlin Clark," Awful Announcing tweeted, then quickly retracted.
After speaking with a source, Awful Announcing clarified that ESPN hadn't directed McAfee to stop. The decision was his own.
"McAfee wasn't directed by anyone at ESPN," the source told AA, adding that McAfee was reflecting on his own actions.
During the simulcast, McAfee also reflected on his previous comments about Clark.
"We were big supporters," McAfee said. "What she has done is remarkable. But, nonetheless, I am dumb, and the way I speak, not good."