John Mellencamp attends an Indiana Pacers game.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Singer/songwriter John Mellencamp was the latest entertainment star to rip sports host Pat McAfee for his antics during Game 4 of the Knicks-Pacers NBA Playoff series. He posted his disdain for the discourse on social media.
While he did not call Pat McAfee out by name, his message was clear. It echoed the sentiment of other “bigwigs” that attended the matchup.
The Pacers asked McAfee to provide some hype as Indiana looked to gain a 3-1 advantage in the seven-game set. He did so by calling out a few of Hollywood’s superstars that made the trip to Indianapolis.
“Indianapolis, Indiana, we got some bigwigs from the big city in the building,” he said. “Spike Lee is here. Ben Stiller is here. Timothée Chalamet is here. Let’s send these sons of b—— back to New York with their ears bleeding!”
Pat McAfee hypes the crowd up:
“Spike Lee is here. Ben Stiller is here. Timothee Chalamet is here. Let’s send these SOBs back to New York.” pic.twitter.com/2nZbsl6aIm
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) May 28, 2025
McAfee played eight NFL seasons with the Colts. He’s been vocal about his love for the area and its sports teams. He jumped at the opportunity to speak to the crowd during Game 4.
His trash talk didn’t land with Ben Stiller, who referenced the “weird” moment in a post on X after the contest. John Mellencamp provided his opinion from the other side of the rivalry.
John Mellencamp shaded Pat McAfee.
Mellencamp is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He’s also from the state of Indiana. He was in attendance on Tuesday night for Game 4 and wasn’t happy with McAfee’s antics.
“I was embarrassed when somebody [McAfee], under whose direction I don’t know, called out some of the people making the trip from New York to support their team… The audience booed these people. I’d say that was not ‘Hoosier Hospitality.’ One could only say it’s poor, poor sportsmanship.”
Mellencamp wasn’t aware it was McAfee that made the comments about the New York celebrities. He does now.
The former NFL punter reshared the message on X with a note that read, “I am ‘somebody.'”
I am “somebody” https://t.co/F8jTbkGSu0
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 29, 2025
Trash talk is nothing new to professional sports. John Mellencamp didn’t think Pat McAfee represented the Pacers’ fanbase well.
Indiana won the game, 130-121. They’re now one win away from closing out the series, which is set to return to New York on Saturday.
McAfee won’t be in attendance for Game 5 in the Garden, despite receiving an invite from Ben Stiller. He’s been unapologetic about his antics.