John Mellencamp Called Out Pat McAfee For Heckling Ben Stiller At NBA Playoff Game, And He Responded
Credit: ESPN/Farmer's Aid
Pat McAfee already had to hear from Ben Stiller when his rousing speech during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals felt insulting to New York celebrities in attendance, and now he has to hear from a big name from Indiana: John Mellencamp. Despite McAfee hyping up the Indiana Pacers fans as they defeated the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA playoffs, the Hoosier-born singer wasn't a fan of the ESPN commentator's behavior.
Advertisement
The Indiana Pacers didn't have many celebrity supporters in the building during Game 4, so it's a shame that two of their biggest ones may be at odds. In a statement made two days after McAfee's big speech, Mellencamp released the following on X:
The Knicks/Pacers games have been very entertaining for anyone who likes basketball or sports. I attended Game 4 in Indianapolis. 'Hoosier Hospitality' …I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don't know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team — and in turn, support our team. The audience booed these people. I'd say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could only say it's poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I've lived here my entire life. On behalf of most Hoosiers, I would like to apologize for our poor behavior. I'm sure the Pacers had nothing to do with this smackdown.
I'm not sure if I'm reading into it too deeply, but I have to think John Mellencamp using the term "smackdown" had to be a rib at Pat McAfee being a WWE commentator. No doubt, McAfee's wrestling experience led him to give what was reportedly an impromptu speech that was not rehearsed ahead of delivery. It's worth noting that as someone living in Indiana, I've seen many residents collectively confused by the singer's issue with what seemed like a mostly light-hearted diss to Timothée Chalamet and others.
Pat McAfee rarely is quiet when it comes to criticism, so it was a given he wasn't going to ignore John Mellencamp's veiled criticism even though it didn't mention him by name. While the ESPN commentator has been known to drop a cryptic message on social media, he wasn't afraid to let people on X know who the singer was talking about in this scathing message:
I am 'somebody'
Back when there was some talk going back and forth between Pat McAfee and Ben Stiller, I almost suspected it was a subtle build to some future upcoming WWE event we'd see later this year with a Peacock subscription. Now with John Mellencamp in the mix, I'm assuming there were actual hurt feelings about McAfee calling out celebrities at the event.
Advertisement
More On The NBA
Charles Barkley speaks on Inside the NBA
Months After Charles Barkley Questioned Inside The NBA's Future On ESPN, The Network's President Weighed In
It's just another chapter in the storied rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks. Both teams have met many times over the years in the playoffs, with plenty of storylines between players and celebrities alike. It's rare two people supporting the same team speak out against each other, though, which is what makes it so bizarre.
As the NBA playoffs continue on, be sure to check out the 2025 TV schedule to see what else is coming to television this summer. I know there are some summer shows I can't wait to get into once basketball is over, especially on the streaming side. Starting Five is coming from Netflix and with Tyrese Haliburton from the Pacers on the list of people covered, it should be a great season if they make the NBA finals.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ryan McMahon off to fast start with Yankees: `First impressions are usually pretty big'
NEW YORK (AP) — Two games into his New York Yankees career, Ryan McMahon has fans talking. And in this case, that's a positive. 'First impressions are usually pretty big,' he said Sunday after sparking a comeback with a tying, two-run double and some dazzling defense in a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies that stopped a three-game losing streak. Acquired on Friday from Colorado, the 2024 All-Star went 1 for 3 and made a nifty backhand stop in his pinstriped debut Saturday, a 9-4 defeat. After the Phillies went ahead 2-0 Sunday against Carlos Rodón on second-inning homers by Nick Castellanos and rookie Otto Kemp, McMahon grounded a Zack Wheeler curveball into the right-field corner in the bottom half. 'He looks great so far. Hopefully he continues it," Yankees closer Devin Williams said. "I've obviously played against him in the past and he was a good player and I'm happy to have him here.' McMahon also singled and was hit by a pitch. He's reached base five times in two games with the Yankees. His glove work has been even more impressive. McMahon easily fielded J.T. Realmuto's 104.3 mph grounder in the second, jumped to grab Bryce Harper's looper leading off the fourth, then ranged to his glove side for a fifth-inning grounder with two out, slid and spun and then threw out speedy Trea Turner at first. 'Three big plays that stood out to me,' Rodón said. 'It's a whirlwind for a guy that gets traded and has to figure things out. So it's a pleasure to have him.' McMahon made 129 errors over six minor league seasons. He credited his defense to former Rockies teammates Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story and DJ LeMahieu, who have combined for 13 All-Star selections and 14 Gold Gloves. 'When you have those three guys and you're 20 years old and in your first big league camp, you're going to learn a lot if you just shut up and watch and pay attention,' McMahon said. McMahon arrived in the Bronx on Friday night following his trade from the Rockies, the team that drafted him in 2013. He took only one suitcase of clothing and his gear, and is staying in a hotel through the homestand. His wife Natalie and 1 1/2-year-old daughter Austyn Brooke remained behind. 'We'll figure that out, man,' he said. 'My wife, she's a rock star. She's awesome. She'll let me get settled a little bit and then they'll probably come out next homestand.' Yankees players, led by captain Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton, have been working at getting to know McMahon. 'Real easy to be around. I kind of sat with him a little bit today in the locker room, just kind of shooting it a little with him and he feels, to me, he feels comfortable,' said manager Aaron Boone, a third baseman obtained by the Yankees from Cincinnati at the 2003 trade deadline. 'It's allowing them space, allowing them to be themselves but also trying to really get to know them a little bit and making them immediately feel part of it,' Boone said. Austin Wells hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly and Trent Grisham an RBI single against Wheeler (9-4), who tied his career high with three hit batters — including two in a row ahead of the double by McMahon, who himself was hit by a pitch in the sixth. A smile on his face, McMahon left the clubhouse to address some of the logistics of the trade. 'I've got a lot of calls to make today, that's for sure,' he said. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kitayama captures PGA 3M Open title with big birdie weekend
Kurt Kitayama birdied six of the first eight holes then hung on down the stretch to win the 3M Open on Sunday for his second career US PGA Tour title. With his older brother Daniel serving as his caddie, the 32-year-old American fired a six-under-par 65 to finish 72 holes on 23-under-par 261 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. That was good enough for a one-stroke victory over countryman Sam Stevens, who had five back-nine birdies to keep the pressure on Kitayama to the finish. "I feel like the game has been trending and for it to finally pay off now has been awesome," said Kitayama, who was one off the 72-hole tournament record set by Lee Hodges in 2023. Kitayama, who fired a career-low 60 on Saturday after fighting to make the cut on Friday, sank 20 birdies in the final two rounds -- the most by any PGA Tour winner since 2003. "On Friday I was like finding my swing and grinding to make the cut," Kitayama said. "Went to the range to find something and obviously found something on Saturday and it continued today with that unbelievable start that I had. Just kind of went from there." Kitayama also won in 2023 at Bay Hill but this time was even better with his brother as bagman. "It's very special. It has been awesome having him on the bag," Kitayama said. Kitayama jumped from 110th to 53rd in the season points chase ahead of next week's regular-season finale at Greensboro, ensuring his spot among the top 70 in points who advance to next month's FedEx Cup playoffs. Kitayama's stunning start put him on 23-under with a three-stroke lead at the turn. He birdied first on a putt from just inside six feet, the second on a tap-in after his approach landed inches from the hole and the third on a 22-foot putt. A tap-in birdie at the fifth, a 10-footer for birdie at six and a four-foot birdie putt completed the early surge. Kitayama found the deep left rough at 11 and made bogey, but answered with a six-foot birdie putt on 12 and restored his three-shot lead with a tap-in birdie at 14 after dropping his approach two feet from the hole. Stevens reeled off three birdies in a row to reach 22-under with a birdie putt from just inside five feet at the 16th and Kitayama's three-putt bogey at the par-three 17th sent the drama to the par-five 18th. Stevens found the rough on his first three shots but salvaged par to stay one back. Kitayama landed his second shot in a greenside bunker 60 feet from the hole but blasted out to 17 feet and two-putted for par and the victory. js/rcw
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
49ers agree to sign CB Eli Apple
The 49ers are adding an experienced veteran to their defense. Cornerback Eli Apple has agreed to a one-year deal with San Francisco, according to agency Universal Sports and Entertainment Management. Apple, 29, signed with the Chargers' practice squad last October and was promoted to the team's active roster last November. He then missed time with a hamstring injury, leading him to appear in just four games in 2024. In 2023, Apple played 10 games with four starts for the Dolphins, recording an interception and nine passes defensed. A Giants first-round pick in 2016, Apple has played 102 career games with 82 starts for the Giants, Saints, Panthers, Bengals, Dolphins, and the Chargers. He's recorded six career interceptions with 61 passes defensed.