College Student Charged After Antisemitic Outburst at Barstool Sports Founder
In a troubling incident highlighting the rising tide of antisemitism in America, a former Mississippi State University student now faces legal consequences after verbally attacking Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy with antisemitic slurs. The confrontation, which occurred on November 7 outside a Starkville pizza shop, was captured on video and quickly went viral. Police identified 20-year-old Patrick McClintock as the individual who shouted “F— the Jews” at Portnoy and allegedly threw coins at him while the media personality was filming one of his signature “One Bite” pizza reviews. The unprovoked hostility shocked bystanders and prompted immediate intervention from security personnel present at the scene.
The Starkville Police Department responded swiftly, launching an investigation after being notified about the viral video showing the antisemitic encounter. By Monday, November 10, authorities had charged McClintock with disturbing the peace, a misdemeanor offense in Mississippi that covers public disturbances or behavior that risks inciting violence. “Every person has the right to feel safe and respected in our community,” the police department stated, clarifying that while offensive speech alone is constitutionally protected, behavior that disrupts public events or potentially leads to violence warrants intervention. The case remains under investigation, with authorities noting that Mississippi law allows for enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by bias or discrimination.
The fallout for McClintock extended beyond legal repercussions. Following public backlash and media attention, Mississippi State University confirmed that the student voluntarily withdrew from the institution on Monday afternoon. This swift separation from the university represents the immediate personal consequences of McClintock’s actions, as institutions increasingly take stands against hate speech and discriminatory behavior. The incident serves as a stark reminder that public expressions of bigotry can have tangible impacts on educational opportunities and personal reputation, particularly in an era where such moments are easily captured and widely shared through social media.
For Portnoy, who is Jewish, this encounter wasn’t an isolated incident but rather part of a disturbing pattern he has observed in recent times. In a separate interview with CBS News, he spoke candidly about what he perceives as a “definitive shift” in antisemitism in America. “I’ve seen in my own experience, just being Barstool, the difference between how much hate I get,” Portnoy explained. “I mean, occasionally you get a k— or Jew or whatever. It’s every day now.” His comments reflect the experiences of many Jewish Americans who have reported feeling increasingly targeted amid rising tensions both domestically and internationally, particularly following recent conflicts in the Middle East that have inflamed antisemitic sentiment in some quarters.
The confrontation in Starkville occurs against a backdrop of alarming statistics showing significant increases in antisemitic incidents nationwide. Organizations tracking hate crimes have documented surges in everything from vandalism of Jewish institutions to verbal harassment and physical assaults targeting Jewish individuals. College campuses have become particular hotspots for such incidents, with reports of antisemitic graffiti, discriminatory flyers, and confrontational demonstrations increasingly common. This broader context helps explain why Portnoy felt compelled to speak out about his experience, noting in his CBS interview that as someone people look up to in the Jewish community, “You have to be like, ‘All right, this is not normal.’ People are coming in with real hate.”
What makes this incident particularly disturbing is its brazen nature – occurring in broad daylight, in a public space, and directed at a well-known figure who was simply going about his business. It demonstrates how normalized such behavior has become in certain circles and highlights the challenges facing communities working to combat discrimination. The Starkville police response, Mississippi State University’s actions, and the public conversation generated by the incident represent important steps in addressing antisemitism, but they also underscore the ongoing need for education, awareness, and accountability. As communities nationwide grapple with similar incidents, the Starkville case serves as both a cautionary tale about the consequences of hate speech and a reminder of the responsibility shared by institutions and individuals alike to stand against bigotry in all its forms.
