Following his controversial "terrible country" remark about Canada during the WWE Elimination Chamber event in Toronto, Pat McAfee has continued to defend his stance. The incident stemmed from the booing of the U.S. national anthem, a recurring trend at sporting events, potentially fueled by political rhetoric.
During the pay-per-view broadcast, McAfee commented, "Kinda sucks that it’s in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem." This sparked immediate criticism, which McAfee addressed on his show, "The Pat McAfee Show," acknowledging the negative feedback while reiterating his position.
McAfee clarified his statement, explaining, "I didn’t say Canadians were terrible. I said your country was. You booed us. I said you were terrible. Let’s shake hands and move along." He emphasized his patriotism and suggested the Canadians' passionate response reflected a similar sentiment for their own country.
He further elaborated on X (formerly Twitter), stating his pride in being American and reiterating his point about the booing incident. He also expressed his understanding of Canadians' passion for their country.
The booing of the U.S. anthem reportedly began during the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal, coinciding with political tensions between the U.S. and Canada. This fueled a public exchange between then-President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, further intensifying the rivalry between the two nations.
