Thu May 29 19:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Mellencamp Slams McAfee’s Foul-Mouthed Rant at Knicks Fans: “Not Proud to be a Hoosier”
**Indianapolis, IN** – Indiana native and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Mellencamp has publicly criticized Pat McAfee for his profanity-laced tirade aimed at New York Knicks celebrity fans during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Indianapolis Tuesday night.
McAfee, the former Indianapolis Colts punter and current ESPN personality, was given a microphone during the Pacers’ victory and used the opportunity to call out prominent Knicks fans in attendance, including Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Timothée Chalamet. As each name was announced, the crowd responded with boos. McAfee then encouraged the audience to “send these sons of bitches back to New York with their ears ringing.”
Mellencamp took to social media to express his disappointment, writing, “‘Hoosier Hospitality’ …I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don’t know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team — and in turn, support our team. The audience booed these people. I’d say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could only say it’s poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I’ve lived here my entire life.” He concluded by apologizing “on behalf of most Hoosiers” for the behavior.
McAfee responded to Mellencamp’s comments on X, simply stating, “I am ‘somebody’.”
Ben Stiller, one of the targets of McAfee’s rant, addressed the situation during an appearance on SNY’s “The Putback,” calling the incident “a little out of the blue” and “cartoonish.” He acknowledged the WWE influence in McAfee’s delivery and suggested McAfee should attend Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, predicting he would be well-received.
The Pacers defeated the Knicks 130-121 in Game 4, taking a 3-1 series lead. Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday night at MSG. The winner of the series will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.
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