ESPN television host Pat McAfee played the final game of the regular season for his former team, the Indianapolis Colts.
McAfee was seen in a luxury box taking in the game, wearing a blue vest with the Colts logo on it.
Video even captured McAfee signing autographs for a fan who threw down a jersey with the former gambler's name and number on it.
It's been a tumultuous week for McAfee, with guest Aaron Rodgers' comments on his show taking center stage.
That led to even more backlash on social media from people who believe he shouldn't even have been hired by ESPN — given the major personnel costs in the form of staff cuts that occurred around the same time as his arrival.
Pat McAfee was signing autographs for fans during the game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday
It was a night off after a week of increased media attention for all the wrong reasons
Early in the week, Rodgers appeared to suggest that comedian Jimmy Kimmel – who hosts a late-night show on ABC, whose parent company is the same as ESPN – would be named to the list of associates of convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.
“There are a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, who are hoping that list doesn't come true,” the quarterback said on air.
Kimmel, whose name was not on the list when it was released earlier this week, didn't like being the punchline of a joke about Epstein.
He went to X to express his anger. 'Dear A***hole: For the record, I have not met, flown with, visited or had any contact with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any 'list' other than the patently false nonsense that meek idiots like you seem unable to distinguish themselves from reality,” the comedian said angrily.
“Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep up the good work and we will discuss the facts further in court.'
ESPN made no public comments about Rodgers' words and McAfee did not immediately say anything to the quarterback live on air.
The next day, McAfee addressed the elephant in the room during the broadcast of his show.
“There were some things that, probably, I mean, we'll have to hear from Aaron about that, were intended as a bullshit joke that could become a very serious allegation that leads to a huge story overnight,” McAfee said. .
The show sparked controversy earlier this week after comments from Aaron Rodgers (center)
Rodgers suggested that comedian Jimmy Kimmel may be on Jeffrey Epstein's list of associates
The late-night TV host angrily hit out at X, saying Rodgers' claims 'put my family in danger'
“But I understand exactly why Jimmy Kimmel felt the way he felt, especially with his position, but I think Aaron was just trying to talk,” McAfee added.
By the end of the week, an ESPN spokesperson finally made a public statement about the guest's words, calling Rodgers' suggested claims “a stupid and factually incorrect joke about it Kimmel.
'It should never have happened. We all realized that at that moment.'
Feeling the heat of the past week's attention and controversy, McAfee felt the need to fire back, specifically targeting longtime director Norby Williamson and calling him a “rat.”
During Friday's show, McAfee said, “We understand that more people are watching this show than ever before. We are very grateful to the ESPN folks for their hospitality.
'Now there are people actively trying to sabotage us from ESPN. More specifically, I believe Norby Williamson is the man trying to sabotage our program.”
The former gambler admitted that he had no concrete evidence to support his accusation.
“I'm not 100 percent sure – that's apparently the only human who has information, and somehow that information gets leaked and it's wrong, and then the story of what our show is gets told,” he continued .
During Wednesday's episode, Pat McAfee claimed Rodgers was just 'talking'
After a hectic week, McAfee launched a furious attack on some of his ESPN bosses
McAfee singled out veteran director Norby Williamson and accused him of leaking information
'Are we just going to fight that from a rat every time? Don't know. But someone tried to get ahead of our actual viewing figures with the wrong numbers twelve hours in advance.
“That's an attempt at sabotage, and it's actually been happening all season long by people who didn't necessarily love the Pat McAfee Show's old addition to the ESPN family.”
ESPN tried to bridge the gap between the very public anger of their employee and an executive who has served the company for decades.
“No one is more committed and invested in the success of ESPN than Norby Williamson,” a spokesperson explained Saturday morning.
That statement went on to say, “We are thrilled with the multi-platform success we have seen from The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN.
“We will handle this matter internally and have no further comment.”