The father of a four-year-old girl whose spirited NFL predictions made her a viral internet sensation has revealed his family is now facing a disturbing wave of death threats and demands for money after her playoff selections resulted in losses for some followers.
From Viral Fame to Online Abuse
Reese Donatelli, from Riverside, California, gained a substantial social media following through her father Anthony Donatelli's Instagram series, "Trust the Toddler." The series, which began nearly four years ago, features Reese picking NFL winners by grabbing mini helmets, often based on whimsical reasons like team colours or personal preferences—such as choosing the Green Bay Packers because she likes cheese.
However, during the first weekend of this month's NFL playoff games, several of Reese's predictions missed the mark, leading some disgruntled followers to label her picks as "cursed." This backlash escalated into serious threats against the family.
Threats and Financial Demands Emerge
Anthony Donatelli, a radio personality, told the Los Angeles Times that the family has received threatening messages, including demands for compensation from individuals who claimed to have lost thousands of dollars due to Reese's incorrect predictions. "It's nuts," Donatelli stated. "She's obviously not an NFL analyst. She's picking teams based on the color of her dress, or she'll pick the Packers because she likes cheese. She just relates these silly little things as reasons why she picks certain teams."
The situation drew attention from high-profile figures, including rapper Cardi B, who is dating New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs. During an Instagram Live session, Cardi B joked about Reese's prediction that the Patriots would win, making a controversial remark before apologising. Ultimately, Reese's pick proved correct as New England defeated the Houston Texans 28–16 to advance to the AFC Championship.
The Origins of 'Trust the Toddler'
The father-daughter bonding activity started when Donatelli, a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan, purchased mini NFL helmets to teach Reese about colours, geography, and football. He knew they had something special when Reese first grabbed a helmet and threw it across the room. "It just clicked. I would put the match-ups of who was going to play that week in front of her, and for the past four years, she's been calling football games. And she's been pretty dang good at it," he explained to the LA Times.
Playoff Struggles and Social Media Reaction
Even the best predictors have off days. Reese guessed incorrectly for all six games during the first week of the playoffs and went 1-for-9 the following week, wrongly predicting wins for teams like the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and Chicago Bears. Amid the controversy, Donatelli affirmed he would continue the activity, keeping a light-hearted approach on social media. After Reese correctly predicted the Patriots' victory, he posted, "The curse has been reversed."
Some Instagram users attempted to diffuse the tension with humour. One joked about betting "$10 million on Houston because of her," adding they are now "more in debt than the U.S. government." Another user defended Reese, writing, "If [you're] letting a kid pick your parlays you shouldn't be betting." At the time of publication, Donatelli's Instagram account was set to private.
Despite the threats, Donatelli remains committed to the bonding experience with his daughter, emphasising that the activity is meant for fun and family connection rather than serious sports analysis.
