Pat McAfee delivers rousing patriotic message live on ESPN in the wake of Charlie Kirk assassination

ESPN host Pat McAfee delivered an impassioned, patriotic speech live on ESPN in the wake of Charlie Kirk's shocking death. 

McAfee was one of the prominent voices to share a tribute to Kirk, shortly after the conservative commentator, 31, was shot and killed at a rally at Utah Valley University.

Kirk was hit by a single bullet while speaking to a crowd at the public university in Orem, before being rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Now, McAfee has once again paid tribute to Kirk after giving a rousing message during ESPN's 'College GameDay'.

He said: 'To get the chance to be around the beautiful town for the last 24 hours has made me realize that it's great to be a Tennessee Volunteer.

'It's not just a great day to be a Tennessee Volunteer, it's also a great day to live in the greatest country on Earth: The United States of America.

'All week, we've seen and heard - maybe a lot more than we ever should - about what separates us and makes us different and our differing opinions, but on this beautiful campus on this glorious Saturday, you'll see 102,000-plus in the eighth-largest stadium in the world from different economic backgrounds, from different political backgrounds, religious backgrounds, you name it, all coming together one thing: And that's to kick Georgia's ass.

'A football lockerroom is the greatest place on Earth,' he said. 'It's stadium is as well. Today, we celebrate what makes this country great. Today, we celebrate the greatest sport on Earth: Football.

'It tries to (bring everybody together), and we need to remember, especially on week's like this, it's great to be alive. It's great to be a football fan and Saturday always delivers in college football season'.

McAfee's speech sparked 'U-S-A' chants from a raucous crowd, who cheered along as the ESPN got them amped up prior to the game.

Earlier in the week, McAfee joined the likes of Danica Patrick, Dave Portnoy and other prominent names to condemn the killing of Kirk and call for change in the country. 

Taking to X late on Wednesday night, he wrote: 'Charlie Kirk, a name synonymous with having the courage to speak what you believe and seek/welcome conversations with those whom you disagree with.

'I’m not a political person but I am a proud American citizen and today was startling, saddening, and maddening all at the same time. 

'I’ve realized that I’m a bit naive to how crazy it all has become but watching a man get hunted and slayed in broad daylight because of his opinions made me disgusted and devastated.

'This can’t be what we actually are or become as a country.. I believe that the good people will always outnumber the evil people but damn… today was an alarming day in our country’s history.

'2 kids lost a dad.. a wife lost a husband.. and societal discourse lost a voice. RIP @charliekirk11 I send my prayers, thoughts, and love to his family and friends'.

On Friday, authorities in Utah announced they had arrested a suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, in connection with the shooting. 

Robinson made chilling remarks about the conservative commentator during a family dinner in the lead-up to his murder, Daily Mail reported earlier on Friday.

Robinson, 22, brought up Kirk's visit to Utah Valley University on September 10 and spoke of his dislike for the 31-year-old MAGA influencer, family members told investigators.

'They talked about why they didn't like him and the viewpoints that he had,' Utah governor Spencer Cox revealed in a press conference this morning.

The family members also told police Robinson had described Kirk as 'full of hate and spreading hate'.