Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniel Finally Shares Truth About Viral Vaping Video

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel joined the Pardon My Take podcast with Barstool Sports on Friday to discuss a myriad of topics related to his team and the NFL at large.

The interview took a turn when Dan “Big Cat” Katz asked McDaniel about Miami’s playoff loss to the Bills and whether or not McDaniel was vaping on the sideline. The video, which showed McDaniel’s hands near his face and what could have been smoke (or his breath) emerging in the cold weather, went viral after the Dolphins’ loss to the Bills.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa previously dismissed the notion that his coach was vaping, and McDaniel did the same…sort of.

“What? Vaping? Like water vape?” McDaniel asked Katz with a confused look on his face. 

“Hmm, what a confusing question. I don’t know this technology you guys speak of,” McDaniel said, invoking laughter from Katz and co-host PFT Commenter.

Was Mike McDaniel really vaping on the sideline against the Bills?@PardonMyTake got to the bottom of it pic.twitter.com/tvLMKVYtDe

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 9, 2023

“Having said that, I will leave you with this. In past lives, I have vaped. Regardless, just the idea of that being something that people are talking about after a playoff game is annoying enough to provoke me to never do it again and I’ve since quit, classic McDaniel style, cold turkey, just like alcohol. But I, you know, as far as a game, you know, I’m sorry I wish I was better schooled on the subject. I just don’t totally know what you guys are talking about.”

Deflect, deflect, deflect is what McDaniel did in his non-answer answer. Could he have been vaping? Yes. Is it likely? Probably not. 

If he was in fact vaping during the playoff game, will he do it again? Certainly not given the attention that the viral clip received in the aftermath of the defeat.