Pat McAfee has officially taken responsibility for spreading false rumors about a college student after the story gained widespread attention online. The ESPN host and former NFL punter, known for “The Pat McAfee Show,” publicly apologized to Mary Kate Cornett, a University of Mississippi student, after mistakenly repeating a damaging claim that suggested inappropriate behavior involving her father.
The rumor originated from the anonymous app Yik Yak and quickly circulated across social media. McAfee repeated the allegations in February without verifying their accuracy. During a recent episode, he announced that he had met Cornett and her family to apologize sincerely.
“I am happy to say that I recently met Mary Kate and her family and had the chance to apologize sincerely,” McAfee said, admitting that his comments were based solely on unverified online information. He said he waited to make the apology public, wanting to address the family first, whom he described as “great people.” After watching Cornett’s interview describing the emotional toll, McAfee expressed deep regret for the pain his show contributed to.
Cornett shared with NBC News that the consequences were overwhelming — her phone number was leaked, she received death threats, and her family’s home was targeted with prank calls that involved police intervention. Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, denied any direct company involvement, though an employee reportedly referenced the rumors online. While McAfee had not initially named Cornett, his latest statement clarified and heartfeltly addressed the situation.
“Our goal with this show is to make the world a better and happier place. We know we don’t always get it right,” McAfee said.
Mary Kate’s father, Justin Cornett, responded by acknowledging McAfee’s apology and showing respect. “It was refreshing to stand by Mary Kate and see the man who made a mistake apologize sincerely. Now the healing can begin,” he said.
In an environment where viral rumors can spread rapidly, McAfee’s apology is a notable example of taking responsibility on a public platform, although it came only after significant harm was done.
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Fan Take: This situation highlights the power of social media and the responsibility public figures have in verifying information before sharing it. For WWE fans, it serves as a reminder that accountability in the sports and entertainment world is vital to maintaining trust and respect both inside and outside the ring.
