Overview
- McAfee posted on X on Jan. 12 calling many sports journalists "curmudgeon bums" and claiming a large percentage hate what sports represent.
- He argued traditional reporters’ days are numbered and cited his ESPN show’s extensive airtime as evidence of a shift toward personality-driven coverage.
- His remarks responded to Jacksonville Free Press reporter Lynn Jones, also identified as Lynn Jones-Turpin, praising first-year coach Liam Coen after the Jaguars’ Wild Card loss to the Bills.
- McAfee thanked Jones and said the exchange showed Coen’s class and humility, which he characterized as a worthwhile journalistic moment.
- The incident drew mixed reactions over press-conference norms and professionalism, with no institutional responses or disciplinary actions reported.