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University of Mississippi Student’s Life Disrupted by Viral Online Rumor
A University of Mississippi student is grappling with the repercussions of a damaging internet rumor that she says “ruined” her life. Mary Kate Cornett, 19, revealed to NBC News that she and her family have endured a wave of harassment and insults following the rapid spread of a false online claim involving her and her boyfriend’s father. The situation escalated after being amplified by figures like prominent ESPN host Pat McAfee, further exacerbating the student’s distress and highlighting the darker aspects of online virality and potential defamation.
False Rumor Spreads, Student Targeted
“Having your life dismantled by individuals who know nothing about you is an indescribable feeling,” Cornett expressed, visibly emotional. “It fosters a sense of profound isolation. It’s an agonizing ordeal.”
The unfounded rumor concerning Cornett, which was detailed in a recent profile by The Athletic, surfaced on “The Pat McAfee Show.” During a discussion about an alleged incident at Ole Miss, McAfee and his guests alluded to the rumor. While Cornett and her boyfriend were not explicitly named on the ESPN program, the context made it clear who was being referenced.
Pat McAfee Show Amplifies Unverified Claims
During the February 26 broadcast, McAfee mentioned an “Ole Miss frat bro” and his “Kappa Delta girlfriend.”
“At this moment, the internet is reporting that the dad had sexual relations with the son’s girlfriend,” McAfee stated, adding, “And then it became public… that is absolutely the worst-case scenario.”
The conversation shifted back to college football after approximately two and a half minutes. McAfee subsequently shared a clip of the discussion on X, addressed to his substantial 3.2 million followers. The post, sarcastically captioned “What’s going on at Ole Miss” with laughing emojis, remained accessible on the platform as of Wednesday and had garnered 1.8 million views.
Cornett asserts that the widespread dissemination of the rumor significantly destabilized her life.
Representatives for ESPN and McAfee have declined to issue a statement on the matter.
The Toxic Side of Internet Virality
While the internet can unexpectedly elevate ordinary individuals to fame, Cornett’s ordeal underscores the detrimental consequences of unchecked online virality and the rapid spread of misinformation.
Rumor Origins and Rapid Escalation
Cornett recounted that friends initially alerted her to a rumor circulating on YikYak, an anonymous messaging application popular among college students. The rumor alleged that a student at her university and within her sorority was involved with her boyfriend’s father.
Within a mere 90 minutes of the rumor’s emergence, Cornett noticed people staring at her on campus. She soon discovered her name trending on X, accompanied by “hundreds and hundreds” of posts falsely identifying her as the subject of the rumor.
Shock and Helplessness
Cornett, along with her boyfriend and his father, were reportedly in disbelief.
“It was completely surreal. It all unfolded with such speed,” she recalled. “I was utterly devastated. I felt intensely vulnerable and isolated because numerous individuals were expressing animosity towards me for something I knew nothing about.”
Barstool Personalities and Further Dissemination
Following McAfee’s program, additional figures, including personalities linked to Barstool Sports, amplified the rumor online. KFC Barstool reportedly shared a video concerning the matter on his personal account, which was later removed, according to The Athletic. Jack Mac’s post, still live on X as of Wednesday, promotes a meme coin incorporating Cornett’s name.
A Barstool Sports representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports’ owner, denied his website’s role in propagating the rumor in a statement to various media outlets.
“Barstool Sports did not mention or circulate this rumor on any of our Barstool-owned platforms,” he stated to Rolling Stone. “Our editorial team made a conscious decision to avoid this story, believing it to be potentially fabricated.”
He acknowledged that a company employee “posted something on their personal socials, but those are beyond our control.”
Legal Recourse and Defamation Claim
Monica Uddin, Cornett’s legal counsel, believes the actions constitute cyberbullying and warrant a defamation lawsuit.
“Defamation is not a new concept. There are repercussions for making false statements about someone – and that is what transpired with Mary Kate,” Uddin asserted. “You cannot fabricate lies for personal gain.”
“Avoiding the use of her name is not impunity, and the inclusion of ‘allegedly’ provides no protection,” the attorney emphasized. “These individuals bear responsibility for the harm inflicted upon her.”
I felt intensely vulnerable and isolated because numerous individuals were expressing animosity towards me for something I knew nothing about.
-Mary Kate Cornett, 19
Intent to Pursue Legal Action
Cornett stated her intention to pursue legal action against McAfee and ESPN, and potentially others who contributed to the rumor’s spread.
Uddin confirmed Cornett is prepared to give a deposition to substantiate her case.
Life Altered by Online Harassment
Since the rumor began circulating, Cornett reports a significant negative shift in her life.
“This has profoundly impacted me and essentially devastated my life,” Cornett conveyed, noting that McAfee “never contacted me to verify the information or request a statement.”
“I found it utterly absurd that an ESPN sports commentator would discuss a 19-year-old girl’s entirely fabricated ‘sex scandal’,” Cornett stated.
“Swatting” Incident and Escalating Harassment
Police responded to Cornett’s mother’s residence in Houston with weapons drawn in what she described as a “swatting” incident. This involved a false report of extreme violence intended to provoke a significant law enforcement response at her home.
NBC News reviewed security camera footage provided by Cornett’s attorney, which appears to corroborate the “swatting” allegation.
NBC News has contacted the Houston Police Department for comment.
Cornett’s phone number was shared online, resulting in an overwhelming influx of “thousands” of calls and text messages, some containing death threats. She indicated she could barely leave her dorm and was compelled to switch to online coursework.
Student Denounces Online Behavior Motivated by “Clout”
Cornett condemned those who discussed her online, suggesting their actions were motivated by a desire for online fame and validation.
“I want these prominent individuals to understand that I was not famous prior to this,” she emphasized. “… I am a typical 19-year-old college freshman. That’s all. I was content. I had a wonderful circle of friends.”
“I am not a public figure to be exploited on your program for increased viewership,” she added.
Parental Concern and Demand for Justice
Justin Cornett, Mary Kate’s father, expressed deep parental worry, fearing his daughter “would not recover” from the ordeal.
“Your instinct is to protect them,” he said. “She’s an exceptional person. She possesses a gentle heart and kind spirit.”
He now seeks “justice.”
“Those responsible for this—what they did to her, her boyfriend, and his dad—deserve the consequences,” he stated.
Father’s Message to Pat McAfee
When asked what he would convey to McAfee, Justin Cornett said, “When you wield a microphone and have a platform, you have a duty to utilize that role responsibly and with utmost respect for the individuals you are reporting on. If this were directed at him, his daughter, his wife, or someone he cherishes, he would undoubtedly object. With a microphone comes responsibility, and it must be treated with gravity.”
Call for Accountability and Awareness
In the days following the rumor’s initial surge online, Cornett experienced insomnia and severe anxiety. She publicly defended herself online, sharing an Instagram post the day after McAfee’s broadcast.
“Firstly, this rumor is unequivocally false, and it is frankly inexcusable that such disturbing accusations gained traction,” she wrote at the time, adding that “Cyber attacks rooted in falsehoods and misinformation are far too prevalent.”
She reiterated a warning about the inherent perils of misinformation dissemination on social media during her NBC News interview.
“If this could happen to me, it is a potential threat to anyone,” she concluded. “And there was nothing I could have done to prevent this from happening to me.”