An NFL Hall of Fame contender found himself at the centre of a disturbing online hoax this Thanksgiving when false reports of his death circulated on social media.
The Bizarre Death Hoax That Fooled No One
Steve Tasker, the celebrated Buffalo Bills former wide receiver, was forced to deny vicious online rumours claiming he had passed away. The fabricated story emerged on Facebook during Thanksgiving, published by a page called 'Frozen Charge' that alleged Tasker's family had announced his death.
However, alert fans immediately spotted multiple glaring errors that exposed the report as fraudulent. The false announcement listed Tasker's year of birth as 1986 rather than his actual birth year of 1962. It also claimed he died at age 62 when in reality the NFL legend is 63 years old.
Tasker's Swift Social Media Response
Just hours after the fake news began circulating, Tasker took to X (formerly Twitter) to personally refute the claims. Sharing a screenshot of the inaccurate report, the sports star bluntly wrote: 'I'm fine,' putting concerned supporters' minds at ease.
Fans quickly flooded his post with well-wishes and condemnation of the hoax. One supporter commented: 'So sorry you have to deal with this nonsense, and on Thanksgiving of all days. Hope you can enjoy the rest of your day with your family and forget about this.'
Another observant follower noted: 'It's comical how it says age 62, but then has you born in 1986. I'm glad that you're fine and alive, but people also need to pay attention to details like that; therefore realizing that this cannot be taken seriously.'
Tasker's Current Activities and Hall of Fame Recognition
Adding further credibility to Tasker's denial was his public appearance earlier that same day. Fans confirmed Tasker had appeared on The Sean McDermott Show, where he regularly joins the Bills head coach to discuss the team's weekly preparations.
The timing of the hoax was particularly ironic given Tasker's recent professional recognition. Earlier this month, the 63-year-old was named among nine semifinalists for election from the seniors category for a place in The Pro Football Hall of Fame.
During his distinguished 13-season NFL career, Tasker spent 12 years with the Buffalo Bills, achieving five first-team All-Pro selections and seven Pro Bowl appearances. His legacy remains firmly intact despite the unfortunate Thanksgiving day hoax.
