Key Highlights
- A 20-year-old student was charged with disturbing the peace after making antisemitic remarks against Dave Portnoy outside a pizza restaurant.
- The incident occurred during Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy’s visit to Starkville, Mississippi, for a college-town pizza review.
- Mississippi State University voluntarily withdrew a student who was charged in the case after an arrest warrant was issued by police.
- A hate crime enhancement could be added to the case due to the antisemitic nature of the remarks.
Antisemitic Outburst during Barstool Sports Review Leads to Student Arrest
The incident unfolded on November 9, 2025, when a student named Patrick McClintock was charged with disturbing the peace after making antisemitic remarks against Dave Portnoy outside a pizza restaurant in Starkville, Mississippi. The confrontation took place during Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy’s visit to the city for a college-town pizza review.
According to video posted on Portnoy’s Instagram account, McClintock can be heard shouting, “Hey, f— the Jews. F— you, Dave Portnoy,” before adding, “F— you.
Get out of Starkville.” The video also showed McClintock attempting to confront Portnoy outside Boardtown Pizza & Pints.
McClintock was charged and processed on Monday by the Starkville Police Department. A hate crime enhancement could be added to the case due to the antisemitic nature of his remarks, as stated in a police statement: “The State of Mississippi allows courts to impose enhanced penalties if a violation meets the criteria for bias-motivated or discriminatory reasons.” The police department noted that this remains under investigation.
University Response and Student Withdrawal
Mississippi State University spokesperson Sid Salter stated that McClintock was a student at the school but voluntarily withdrew within hours of police announcing an arrest warrant. Salter commented, “What happened on video didn’t reflect the culture and values of the university.” The university’s quick response highlights its commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment.
Context and Implications
The incident comes at a time when antisemitic incidents have been on the rise across America, according to statements from organizations such as the American Jewish Committee. In May 2025, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy had faced controversies involving antisemitism, including an incident where servers delivered a sign bearing antisemitic language at his Philadelphia location.
Dave Portnoy himself addressed the incident in a portion of the Instagram video: “I blame online rhetoric for the rise in antisemitic incidents. I believe that Patrick ‘hates’ my life and needs something to blame, and what’s an easy answer?
Oh, it’s the Jews’ fault.” This statement underscores the broader issues surrounding hate speech and its impact on individuals.
The nonprofit Endjewhatred called for hate crime charges against McClintock: “The same level of hatred seen against any other minority community would result in an immediate hate crime charge, but instead Patrick was charged with ‘disturbing the peace.'” This reflects the ongoing debate about how to address such incidents legally.
While the case is still under investigation, this incident highlights the continued importance of addressing and combating antisemitism in all forms. The involvement of a prominent figure like Dave Portnoy adds a layer of public scrutiny and awareness to the issue.
