Pat McAfee has been accused of spreading rumors about an Ole Miss college student, Mary Kate Cornett, on his self-titled ESPN talk show in February 2025. While McAfee did not name Cornett on the show, the rumor about a student sleeping with her boyfriend’s father went viral, leading to Cornett receiving vile messages on social media and her school campus. Cornett has since been moved to emergency housing and switched to online courses due to the backlash she faced as a result of the rumors.
The rumor about Cornett allegedly sleeping with her boyfriend’s father originated from a fake post on the anonymous social media platform YikYak. It quickly spread on social media and became a trending topic, ultimately catching the attention of Pat McAfee. During an episode of his show, McAfee brought up the rumor, discussing Greek life drama at the college and mentioning the alleged incident involving the father of a fraternity member’s girlfriend.
After McAfee shared the rumor on his show, other sports personalities, including Antonio Brown and accounts like KFC Barstool and Jack Mac from Barstool Sports, circulated the story, including photos of Cornett. Cornett claimed she received harassing messages at her dorm room, had her phone number leaked online, and even faced a swatting incident where the police arrived at her mother’s home with guns drawn. Despite the backlash, Cornett took to social media to address the rumors and assert their falsity, thanking those who came to her defense.
Mary Kate Cornett has taken legal action against Pat McAfee and ESPN, engaging legal representation to address the situation. Cornett expressed her desire for those responsible for spreading the rumors to be held accountable for the impact it has had on her life. She emphasized the need to address cyberbullying and misinformation spread through social media, hoping to use her own experience to help others facing similar situations in the future. Cornett’s story highlights the dangers of online rumors and the impact they can have on a person’s life and mental well-being.
