A 20-year-old Mississippi State University student was arrested after hurling an anti-Semitic slur and coins at Dave Portnoy, the Jewish founder of Barstool Sports.
The incident took place on Nov. 7, 2025, outside a pizza restaurant in Starkville, Mississippi, where Portnoy was filming a segment for his One Bite pizza review series. The suspect, Patrick McClintock, allegedly shouted “___ the Jews” and threw coins toward Portnoy and his crew before fleeing the scene.
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Local police quickly identified and arrested McClintock, charging him with disturbing the peace. While protected speech laws cover offensive language, the addition of the act of throwing objects elevated it to a criminal offense under public disturbance statutes.
Following the arrest, Mississippi State University confirmed that McClintock withdrew from the university. School officials issued a statement condemning hate speech and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment.
Portnoy released footage of the incident and spoke out afterward, warning of what he sees as a rise in anti-Semitic behavior across the country. He noted that such incidents are no longer rare and that Jews in public life increasingly face hostility. “It’s every day now,” Portnoy said.
The video shows McClintock smirking as he walks away after the slur, further fueling outrage from viewers and community members.
Law enforcement and campus officials emphasized that while free speech remains protected, actions that intimidate, harass, or disrupt public activity are subject to criminal penalties.
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Starkville authorities praised the swift response from witnesses and officers in identifying the suspect. No injuries were reported, but the event drew national attention and renewed concerns over growing antisemitism on college campuses and in public spaces.
This article originally appeared on American Faith and is reposted with permission.
