Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was targeted with antisemitic taunts while filming one of his signature pizza review videos near Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, an incident that led to a disturbing the peace charge against a 20-year-old man and a potential hate-crime enhancement now under review, authorities confirmed.
The Starkville Police Department said a video of the confrontation shows the suspect throwing coins at Portnoy, 48, and making offensive, antisemitic remarks during the recording. The department confirmed the details after reviewing footage of the encounter, as reported by NBC News.
Incident Captured During Pizza Review
Portnoy was in Starkville on November 7 to attend a Mississippi State football game and film a new installment of his popular One Bite pizza review series. While recording outside Boardtown Pizza & Pints, a man approached and began shouting at him in front of patrons.
In the video, the man can be heard yelling, "F*** the Jews. F*** you, Dave Portnoy. F*** you. Get out of Starkville." The clip then shows the individual attempting to move toward Portnoy before another bystander steps in, blocking the confrontation as others defend the Barstool Sports founder. The suspect ultimately backs away.
Portnoy, who is Jewish, addressed the incident on camera moments later. "There are a–holes everywhere. What are you going to do?" he says in the video, before continuing his review.
According to police, the video also captures the suspect throwing coins at Portnoy, underscoring the hostile nature of the encounter. Authorities said the footage and witness accounts were part of the evidence used to bring charges.
Police Weigh Hate-Crime Enhancement
The Starkville Police Department announced on November 11 that a hate-crime enhancement is under review in light of the evidence gathered. "The State of Mississippi allows courts to impose enhanced penalties if a violation meets the criteria for bias-motivated or discriminatory reasons," the department said in a statement, per NBC News. "This remains under investigation."
Police said that Patrick McClintock, 20, was charged, processed, and released on November 10 in connection with the disturbance. As of publication, it is unclear whether McClintock has retained legal representation.
While Mississippi does not have a standalone hate-crime statute, the state permits prosecutors to seek sentence enhancements when a crime is believed to be motivated by racial, religious, or ethnic hatred, according to the UCLA School of Law. If applied and the defendant is found guilty, an enhancement can increase potential penalties at sentencing.
Mississippi State Responds
Mississippi State University confirmed the suspect’s ties to the campus community following the arrest. MSU spokesperson Sid Salter said McClintock was enrolled at the university but voluntarily withdrew within hours of the arrest warrant being issued.
"What happened on video didn’t reflect the culture and values of the university," Salter said. The school did not immediately announce any additional disciplinary measures, given the withdrawal, and referred further questions to law enforcement as the investigation continues.
The incident, which unfolded in the heart of a busy college town near a popular local restaurant, drew quick attention online as Portnoy’s pizza reviews routinely rack up large audiences across social media platforms. The combination of the public setting, on-camera harassment, and swift police response placed the episode squarely in the national conversation around antisemitism and conduct on and around college campuses.
Portnoy Calls Out Rising Antisemitic Rhetoric
In remarks captured in the video, Portnoy reflected on what he sees as an uptick in antisemitic rhetoric both online and in real life. He suggested the man’s behavior was fueled by anger and grievance. Portnoy said he believes the suspect "hates" his life and looked for an outlet, adding, "And what’s an easy answer? Oh, it’s the Jews’ fault."
Portnoy, who has frequently used his One Bite series to highlight local pizzerias in college towns and major cities, finished the review despite the confrontation. He thanked bystanders who stepped in and noted that public filming often attracts hecklers, though the antisemitic nature of the taunts was particularly troubling.
Case Remains Under Investigation
As of now, McClintock faces a charge of disturbing the peace related to the Starkville incident. The hate-crime enhancement review remains ongoing, and authorities have not provided a timeline for a decision.
Police encouraged anyone with additional information or firsthand footage from outside Boardtown Pizza & Pints to contact the department, underscoring that community tips and video evidence are increasingly central to resolving incidents that escalate in public spaces.
For Portnoy, the confrontation adds to the complexities of producing viral, on-the-street content that often unfolds without warning. For Mississippi State and local authorities, it has prompted a broader conversation about campus climate, public safety, and how bias-motivated conduct is addressed under state law. Further updates are expected as the investigation moves forward.
