Pat McAfee, a former punter for the Indianapolis Colts who has transitioned to an ESPN radio host, expressed his concerns about the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics while discussing the Summer Games on Monday.
The ceremony included a number of controversial elements, particularly around a segment that seemed to mock The Last Supper, a significant event for many Christians. This sparked backlash from global leaders and athletes.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Pat McAfee during NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 16, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)
McAfee expressed that he wasn’t necessarily offended by the content itself, but he felt that the ceremony should be focused on sports, referencing Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the event.
“A lot of people feel that what Thomas Jolly put together was profoundly disrespectful, which is certainly a valid perspective,” McAfee remarked. “I really don’t understand how any of these elements signify the beginning of the Olympics or announce their commencement.”
“It was a type of artistic expression that aimed to pay tribute… whatever it was meant to convey. We just want the focus to be on sports. The opening ceremony shouldn’t deter viewers from watching athletes who have poured everything into their passion, only to celebrate it every four years.”
Jolly clarified to The Associated Press that it was never his goal to parody The Last Supper.
PARIS OLYMPICS DRAG QUEEN TORCHBEARER RIPS CRITICISM OF OPENING CEREMONY: ‘WE AIN’T GOING NOWHERE’
A field hockey ball inside the Olympic rings during the women’s match between Spain and the United States at Stade Yves Du Manoir on July 29, 2024, in Paris. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
“My intention wasn’t to be subversive or to insult anyone,” he added. “I aimed to convey a message of love and inclusivity, not division.”
McAfee emphasized that the ceremony should feature “individuals who have a passion for sports” and suggested that Jolly didn’t fit that criteria.
“We can’t allow the opening ceremony to spark controversy or protests,” he said. “I hope that in the future we can consider how sports serve as a unifying force and not let extraneous issues keep people from tuning in, because the experience of watching is magical.”
Anne Descamps, an official for Paris 2024, told reporters that the celebration of “community tolerance” was successfully conveyed.
“There was never any intention to offend any religious community. On the contrary, I believe that with Thomas Jolly’s involvement, we genuinely aimed to promote community tolerance,” Descamps remarked.
People line up to take pictures in front of the Olympic Rings at the Paris South Arena on July 29, 2024. (Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Based on the poll results we shared, we believe we succeeded in our goal. We sincerely apologize if anyone was offended.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
