A recent exposé by The Athletic has shed light on troubling allegations involving WWE commentator and media personality Pat McAfee, stemming from a controversial segment aired on his ESPN program, The Pat McAfee Show, on February 26, 2025.
During the broadcast—which featured NFL insider Adam Schefter as a guest—McAfee referenced a rumor circulating on social media. The unverified claim alleged that an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Mississippi had cheated on her boyfriend with his father. Though McAfee did not name the student directly, her identity was easily traceable due to a widely circulated Instagram photo attached to the viral rumor, which originally surfaced on anonymous platform YikYak before spreading to X (formerly Twitter).
Schefter reportedly tried to steer the conversation back toward Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart—who was loosely connected to the gossip—but McAfee and his co-hosts continued making crude jokes before eventually transitioning into discussion about Dart’s NFL draft prospects.
The student at the center of the controversy, Mary Kate Cornett, has since come forward, revealing the devastating real-world impact of the viral falsehood. Cornett claims she endured harassment in her college dormitory, was forced into emergency housing, and now attends her classes remotely due to safety concerns. She also stated that her personal phone number was leaked, resulting in a flood of offensive voicemails.
Most disturbingly, The Athletic reports that Cornett’s mother’s home in Houston, Texas, was the target of a swatting incident—a dangerous prank involving false emergency reports to law enforcement. This was later confirmed by police and supported by security footage.
Cornett and her boyfriend have since issued public denials of the rumor, calling for accountability. She has now retained legal representation and is preparing to pursue legal action against Pat McAfee, ESPN, and possibly other media figures who perpetuated the story. Notably, personalities from Barstool Sports also reportedly commented on the unsubstantiated claims.
“I would like people to be held accountable for what they’ve done,” Cornett told The Athletic. “You’re ruining my life by talking about it on your show for nothing but attention, but here I am staying up until 5 in the morning, every night, throwing up, not eating because I’m so anxious about what’s going to happen for the rest of my life.”
Neither McAfee nor ESPN has publicly responded to the allegations at this time.
