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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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ESPN host and World Wrestling Entertainement (WWE) commentator Pat McAfee called Canada a "terrible country" after fans booed the U.S. national anthem at a pay-per-view Elimination Chamber event in Toronto on Saturday.
McAfee has since addressed backlash on his show, explaining his reaction while acknowledging Canadian perspectives.
Newsweek reached out McAfee via email on Monday for comment.
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Why It Matters
McAfee's controversial remarks highlight escalating tensions between the U.S. and Canada stemming from President Donald Trump's proposed tariff increases and comments about making Canada the "51st state."
Late last month, hockey fans in Boston booed the Canadian national anthem on the night before the U.S. and Canada clashed in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game.
Saturday's incident is just the latest example of booing that has been repeatedly expressed by Canadians at sporting events tied to the economic and political tension with the U.S., marking a significant moment of national unity against Trump's trade policies.
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What To Know
During WWE's Elimination Chamber at Toronto's Rogers Centre, Canadian fans loudly booed during "The Star-Spangled Banner."
McAfee responded during the Peacock broadcast: "These are the most stacked Elimination Chambers that the WWE has ever had. Kinda sucks that it's in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing!"
On Monday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show, he addressed the controversy: "You booed my country. Now, I heard from a lot of Canadians. During the national anthem, obviously the Rogers Centre, overwhelming boo."
McAfee explained that his reaction stems from national pride: "My entire life, my first reaction when somebody boos the national anthem is f*** you."
Despite requests from National Hockey League leadership to stop, Canadian fans have continued using anthem performances as protest opportunities.
How Tariffs Have Impact
Trump announced Monday that tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China will take effect on Tuesday following a 30-day pause agreed at the start of February.
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, typically paid by the importing businesses, which can then pass costs to consumers through higher prices. The importing business could be any American company that purchases goods from foreign suppliers and brings them into the country for resale, manufacturing or distribution. Tariffs are often used to protect domestic industries by making foreign goods more expensive and encouraging consumers to buy locally.
The upcoming tariffs include a 25 percent tax on general imports from Canada and Mexico, a 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy products and an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods, effectively doubling the existing rate.
The tariffs aim to address issues such as drug trafficking and trade imbalances. However, experts warn that the tariffs could lead to increased consumer prices, potentially fueling inflation and slowing economic growth.
What People Are Saying
Pat McAfee on the backlash he has received: "Any time I've ever heard somebody boo our national anthem, my natural reaction is, 'let's fight.' That is my natural reaction."
McAfee on understanding Canadian perspective: "I understand now from the Canadians that they have a lot more passion for their country than I could have ever imagined. A lot of terrible things have been said about me, and I understand it. You boo my country, I called your country terrible, let's shake hands."
A Canadian user on X, formerly Twitter, responded to comments: "Pat McAfee needs to shut the f*** up. I'll continue to boo your anthem when your orange f****** idiot president keeps talking s*** about Canada and wanting to take us over."
Another Canadian X user and hockey fan: "Pat McAfee shows up 1-2X, max, in a year's time to Canada, lecturing Toronto audience about booing at a sports event, you're not that important/relevant to scold another country for showing same pride that led to all of this starting to begin with, less arrogance before we judge."
What Happens Next
The incident may further fuel cross-border tensions between American and Canadian sports fans. As Trump's tariff proposals move forward, protests could continue at international sporting events.
McAfee's attempt at reconciliation might cool tensions specifically related to the WWE event. On his show on Monday, he offered what appeared to be an olive branch and posted it on X: "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.. Let's shake hands and move along."
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