A bizarre social media storm erupted ahead of a crucial NFL Wild Card game, after a major sports broadcaster incorrectly reported that a player had made a highly unusual arrival. The Carolina Panthers' wide receiver, Xavier Legette, was falsely said to have ridden a horse to the stadium, a claim that spread rapidly online before being debunked.
The Viral Claim That Galvanised Social Media
The incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon before the Panthers' playoff clash against the Los Angeles Rams. ESPN journalist David Newton posted a video on social media showing a group of men on horseback, wearing cowboy hats, approaching the Bank of America Stadium. In his now-deleted post, Newton wrote: 'Not a grand entrance by Panthers WR Xavier Legette and Dolla bill.' This caption, intended as sarcasm, was widely misinterpreted as a statement of fact.
The video quickly went viral, with several media outlets picking up the story and running headlines stating Legette had indeed arrived on his horse. Fans immediately criticised the player, labelling him arrogant and predicting a heavy defeat for the Panthers as a consequence of his perceived showboating.
The Swift Retraction and Lingering Fallout
There was, however, a significant problem with the viral narrative: it was not Xavier Legette in the video. The individuals on horseback were not players from either team. Newton soon followed up with a clarifying post, stating: 'I posted a video that caused confusion. It was not Xavier Legette, and it was my intention to make the point that it was not Xavier. I apologize for the misunderstanding.' Despite this retraction, the damage was done.
At the time of writing, some publications, including Sports Illustrated, were still carrying articles with headlines proclaiming 'Panthers receiver Xavier Legette rides his horse in cowboy fit to Rams Wild Card game'. The confusion was perhaps compounded by the fact that, according to multiple reports, Legette is a genuine horse enthusiast. He is said to own several quarter horses, one named Dolla Bill and another called Dime Piece.
A Lesson in Social Media Verification
This episode serves as a stark reminder of the speed at which misinformation can spread online, even from seemingly credible sources. The initial report, lacking clear verification, was taken at face value and amplified by both fans and news desks. It highlights the perils of social media misinformation in the fast-paced world of sports reporting, where the race to break news can sometimes outpace fact-checking. While Legette may love his horses, he certainly did not ride one to the game, proving once again that not everything you see on social media should be believed.
