In the bizarre world of sports commentary, where opinions fly faster than a quarterback’s Hail Mary pass, Pat McAfee and Antonio Brown have carved out quite the niche for themselves. They’re like the dynamic duo of controversy, always ready to dive into the juiciest stories—even if it means swimming in murky waters. And oh, do they know how to catch a wave! The latest tempest swirling around them has its roots in the scandalous allegations involving college student Mary Kate Cornett, who’s found herself at the center of a firestorm. Accused of an affair that sounds straight out of a reality TV show script, her personal life has become a viral sensation—sparking McAfee and AB to jump in with both feet. But while they might revel in the spotlight, it seems that their enthusiasm has landed them in a bit of hot water, as Cornett isn’t just taking these allegations lying down. She’s now pointing fingers back at the duo, claiming they’ve done more harm than good. So, what’s the real story behind all this racket? Grab your popcorn, because things are about to get messy.
Pat McAfee and Antonio Brown are two of the most well-known commentators in sports media. They always have something to say, for better or worse. Sometimes, when it’s worse, the attention they get is better. McAfee and AB do not shy away from viral stories and controversy. Which is why they were keen to report on the Mary Kate Cornett allegations. The college student was accused of sleeping with the father of her boyfriend. Pat McAfee and AB jumped on the story, but are now getting called out by Cornett.
The Oxford student issued a statement via Facebook. She claimed that she has been targeted and harassed online as as a result of the allegations. She cited McAfee and Antonio Brown as two of the biggest offenders when it came to promoting the fake story. “Irresponsible independent social media influencers with apparent ties to Barstool Sports,” she explained. “And even major public figures like Antonio Brown and Pat McAfee. [They] have shared these utter and complete lies with zero interest in the truth, but instead spreading outlandish conjecture.”
Cornett dismissed the claims that she slept with her boyfriend’s father. Her family told TMZ it was a “fraternity prank that has mushroomed out of control.” The college student described the situation in more dire terms, however. She claimed it was a deliberate and coordinated cyberattack that has put her safety in danger. Pat McAfee and Antonio Brown may have covered the story as a means of engaging with fans, but Cornett claims that they did not do their just diligence in vetting the story’s truthfulness.
Mary Kate Cornett also claims that she has been subject to bullying. “My personal contact information has been doxed and illegally shared publicly, putting my personal safety at risk,” she explained. “I have received thousands of harassing calls and texts of a sick and demented nature, some of which suggest I even take my own life.” Pat McAfee and Antonio Brown have yet to respond to the allegations thrown back at them via Cornett’s Facebook post. As evidenced by the post below, though, McAfee has been known to issue apologies when he messes up.