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WWE Elimination Chamber kicked off at the Rogers Centre in Toronto with a performance of the U.S. National Anthem by Canadian singer-songwriter Elizabeth. However, the crowd reacted with loud boos, which led to Pat McAfee calling Canada terrible on commentary. His remarks led to backlash, and now McAfee has defended his statement.
While speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Pat McAfee defended himself after people got mad at him for calling Canada “terrible” when Canadian fans booed the U.S. national anthem at Elimination Chamber.
McAfee said he understands that Canadians love their country, but he was just showing the same love for his own. When he heard the loud boos at the Rogers Centre during the anthem, he was shocked. He explained that in his life, whenever someone boos the national anthem, his first reaction is to get upset because he respects it so much.
“Listen, there have been some things said to me from Canadians that I guess I respect because of the passion you have for your country. I hope you understand that I was showing the same for mine. You booed my country.
Now, I heard from a lot of Canadians during the national anthem. Obviously, the Rogers Centre was overwhelmingly loud with boos. My first reaction when our national anthem started up there was hearing some Canadians just start booing, and I was like, ‘What?’
My entire life, my first reaction when someone boos the national anthem is, ‘F*** you, get out of here.'”
McAfee said he is proud to be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the United States. He admitted that the U.S. isn’t perfect but shared a story about his father, who worked hard as a truck driver and became a millionaire. He believes the U.S. is a place where hard work can lead to success.
McAfee also talked about his time in Indiana, where he met many military members and Gold Star families. Because of this, he feels a deep connection to the national anthem, and hearing it booed made him angry.
“I’m very thankful that I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America. I’m very proud that I am from the USA. Is everything perfect? Absolutely not. But my dad went from being a truck driver to a millionaire because he taught his son a work ethic that anything is possible in this land.
I know we’re not the only country where that happens, but in my life, that is the case. I’ve also moved out here to Indiana and got a chance to meet a lot of military members. I’ve been to a lot of bases. I know Gold Star families. I know people who have been affected fighting for our country, people who really see the national anthem as our, ‘Hey, this is our thing.’ So anytime I’ve ever heard somebody boo our national anthem, my natural reaction is, ‘Let’s fight.'”
After hearing from Canadians about why they booed, McAfee said he now understands their strong feelings about their country. He knows there are political issues between the U.S. and Canada, but he doesn’t think about politics when he thinks of Canada. Instead, he remembers the people and good memories, like visiting Niagara Falls as a teenager.
“Now, a lot of Canadians have told me, ‘Why don’t you do a little investigating into why we’re booing? Do you hear what your President said?’ I understand there are political differences at the moment between the U.S. and Canada. But when I think of Canada, I don’t think of what Justin Trudeau does or his decisions. I don’t think about Canadian politics. I think about the people in Canada and the magical times I had as a teenager at Niagara Falls.”
McAfee admitted that people have said a lot of bad things about him since his comments, and he understands why. But he also stood by what he said—Canadians booed the U.S., so he called Canada “terrible” in response.
In the end, McAfee said it’s time to move on. He never meant to say all Canadians are terrible, just that their country was in that moment. Despite everything, he still loves Canada.
“So I understand now that Canadians have a lot more passion for their country than I could have imagined. A lot of terrible things have been said about me—I understand it. You booed our country, and I said you’re terrible.
Let’s shake hands. You said you didn’t boo every member of the USA—well, I didn’t say that Canadians are terrible. I said your country is. So you booed us, and I said you’re terrible. Let’s shake hands and move along. That’s all I’d like to say, and I still love Canadians.”
We have also reported that WWE expected and planned for the U.S. National Anthem to be booed at Elimination Chamber. Regardless, McAfee feels he is a true patriot and is unapolgetic about that fact, and that’s all that matters to him in the end, despite the backlash he received.
Do you think Pat McAfee’s reaction was justified, or did he take it too far? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
