With the Pac-12 dissolving faster than a Travis Hunter streak down the touchline, it seems there is tension between veteran broadcaster Pat McAfee and former quarterback Ryan Leaf, and that boiled over the airwaves this past weekend.
Leaf played for Washington State from 1995-97 before being drafted as the second overall pick in 1998, behind Peyton Manning.
The San Diego Chargers signed the big QB with high hopes of a decent return, but Leaf only spent four seasons in the NFL, two at the Chargers before short stints at the Buccaneers, Cowboys and finally as an off-season player for the Seahawks.
The row started after the flags of Oregon State and Washington State being displayed next to each other, reflecting the current Pac-12 stand-off.
GameDay had something to say about WSU’s 292nd flag’s appearance on the show (20 years), before Leaf hit back on Good Morning Football.
The ding-dong battle started when WSU head coach Jake Dickert and Leaf took exception to Lee Corso, an anchor on Gameday, who called the match between the pair, “The No One Watches Bowl.”
Then on College Game Day McAfee let rip back:
“Ah, who cares! Who cares! Were you guys showing this flag when they were 1-11 in 2009? How about 2-10 in 2010? You were?
“That’s wild. So when they SUCKED, you guys were showing them every single week on the biggest college football show? Wow! Handle success, Ryan Leaf!
“Geez… I want a West Virginia flag flying up there every single time. We don’t get it, Washington State gets it, and all of a sudden, Washington State’s going, ‘Now Big Beav’s up there!’ Like, shut up.”
McAfee is a known controversy-machine with many social media users labelling the former Colts punter a ‘bully’.
Between the Cougars and the Beavers, they share an 8-1 record this season, despite a crumbling Pac-12 and a fight for survival in the Power Five ranks, and the pair have become a topic of national footballing interest.
