Mary Kate Cornett, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Mississippi, is taking a stand against the defamatory viral rumor that has deeply impacted her life. The rumor, which surfaced in late February, falsely claimed that Cornett had an affair with her boyfriend’s father, quickly spiraling out of control as public figures, including ESPN’s Pat McAfee, brought attention to it. Cornett, whose life has been turned upside down by these false accusations, has now announced plans to pursue legal action against both McAfee and ESPN for their role in spreading the damaging gossip.
The controversy first began when McAfee referenced the baseless rumor on his show, The Pat McAfee Show, during a segment on February 26. Though McAfee did not explicitly name Cornett, he alluded to the situation, discussing it with NFL insider Adam Schefter. The segment, taped at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, ignited a firestorm as the rumor spread even further, reaching a vast audience. The ensuing fallout from McAfee’s comments, as well as those from other public figures like Antonio Brown and personalities associated with Barstool Sports, has caused untold distress for Cornett.
In an emotional interview with The Athletic, Cornett explained how the situation has affected her both mentally and emotionally. “You’re ruining my life by talking about it on your show for nothing but attention,” Cornett stated, describing the sleepless nights she’s endured, filled with anxiety and physical distress. She said that she is unable to function normally, suffering from nausea and insomnia due to the pressure and fear of what the future holds.
Cornett, who had initially hoped the situation would pass, now believes that those responsible for spreading the rumor must be held accountable. She is pursuing legal action against ESPN and McAfee, seeking justice for the harm done to her reputation and personal well-being. Cornett’s father, Justin Cornett, has also spoken out about the devastating impact the scandal has had on their family, describing the experience as watching his daughter’s life be torn apart in real time. “It’s like you’re walking with your daughter on the street, holding her hand, and a car mirror snags her shirt and starts dragging her down the road. And all you can do is watch,” Justin said.
Cornett’s father expressed the deep sense of helplessness he feels as a parent, unable to protect his daughter from the widespread attack on her character. The emotional toll on the Cornett family has been immense, with the situation compounded by the public nature of the rumors and the lack of concern shown by those amplifying the false story.
As Cornett struggles with the fallout, her educational journey has also been affected. She has switched to online learning at Ole Miss, but the emotional scars remain. Cornett expressed her concerns about her future career prospects, worried that the damage to her reputation may follow her for years to come. The rumors have made it difficult for her to even walk around campus without being harassed by peers, who often make vulgar comments or take pictures of her without consent.
The support for Cornett, however, has not been entirely negative. A GoFundMe page was created by her father to help fund legal efforts and to raise awareness about the harmful effects of cyberattacks and defamatory rumors. The GoFundMe has raised over $26,000 as of now, with donations coming from individuals who empathize with Cornett’s situation and want to help her seek justice.
In her statement, Cornett accused McAfee and others of irresponsibly spreading the rumor with no interest in verifying its accuracy. “Irresponsible independent social media influencers with apparent ties to Barstool Sports and even major public figures like Antonio Brown and Pat McAfee… shared these utter and complete lies with zero interest in the truth,” Cornett wrote. The teenager also shared how her personal contact information had been illegally shared online, making her feel unsafe and vulnerable.
For Cornett, the ultimate goal is not only to clear her name but also to prevent others from suffering the same fate. She hopes her legal battle will serve as a wake-up call for those who feel they can spread misinformation with no consequences. “These folks… they can just say whatever they want and destroy a young girl’s life forever,” said Cornett’s father, summing up the heartache the family has endured.
As Cornett continues her fight for justice, she remains determined to hold those responsible accountable and to rebuild her life, with the support of those who believe in her. Her case underscores the devastating impact of online rumors and the need for more responsible media practices in the digital age.
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