JJ Watt fired some shots in the direction of Pat McAfee.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The former Houston Texan appeared on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show via video chat yesterday, July 21, to accept the program's "1st Team All-Good Guy Award."
But the defensive end used the opportunity to lay a guilt trip on McAfee over the salary increase the host's reps reportedly proposed last month.
What Did JJ Watt Say to Pat McAfee?
As we reported earlier this week, ESPN has begun laying off staff. NFL Live analyst Ryan Clark was one of the casualties, finding out his fate Monday, July 20, while on the air. He didn't finish the program.
As reported by USA Today, other network personalities affected by the layoffs include Karl Ravech, Tom Pelissero, Andreas Hale, Charles Davis, Cam Newton, David Lloyd, and Stephania Bell.
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a memo to employees, "We have taken the time to carefully evaluate our collective teams, resources, and organizational structure to best position us for the future. As a result, we had to make some difficult decisions about job impacts that we will be communicating today."
Of course, McAfee, who has been one of ESPN's top performers, was not affected. So when Watt appeared on his show, he made sure the host knew how grateful he should be to be on the air.
"So slow news day over there on the ESPN airwaves, huh? I mean, besides the fact that you're getting $100 million...," said Watt. "You're ticking everybody off."
It's been reported that McAfee is negotiating a deal that could net him $60 million a year.
McAfee Responded, but Watt Kept at It
McAfee shot back at Watt, saying, "Don't do that. You're going to lose the [1st Team All-Good Guy] award with what you're doing."
Watt kept going. He asked the host, "Did they keep anybody, or is everybody fired to pay you? I'm trying to figure it out."
McAfee then laughed. He then took the moment to praise his team.
"That's not funny. That is not funny. We do not like that," he said to Watt. "We do not appreciate that. That is the narrative, and I'm certainly taking it on the shins. The boys and I are very proud of the work that we have done."
You can watch Watt confront McAfee below.
