Imagine being a professional athlete, constantly in the spotlight, and then being unexpectedly reminded of a deeply personal tragedy in a casual interview. That's exactly what happened to Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette, and it's sparked a wave of controversy.
ESPN reporter David Newton is facing backlash and has issued an apology after asking Legette an insensitive question about his father's fandom of the Dallas Cowboys. The incident occurred in the Panthers' locker room on Thursday as reporters, including Newton, were speaking with Legette in anticipation of their Sunday game against the Cowboys.
Newton's question seemed innocuous enough on the surface. "The Cowboys are always America’s Team. Did you grow up following them?" he asked. Legette responded, "Yeah, when I was little, my daddy was a Cowboy fan." Newton then added, "I’m thinkin’ he won’t be this week." Legette, visibly affected, responded, "For sure, for sure, ain’t a Cowboy fan… no more," with a sigh before the conversation moved on.
But here's where it gets controversial... Newton seemingly forgot, or didn't immediately recall, a painful detail of Legette's past. Legette's father tragically passed away from a heart attack in 2019, and his mother died from cancer four years prior. What makes this even more striking is that Newton himself wrote about these losses in an ESPN profile on Legette just last year. The profile delved into how Legette's passion for horses had inspired him, but also touched on the profound impact of losing both parents.
The reaction from Panthers fans was swift and fierce. Many felt Newton's question was not only insensitive but also a sign of disrespect, especially given his prior knowledge of Legette's family history. It's worth noting that some Panthers fans have a pre-existing dislike for Newton's coverage of the team, even starting a petition calling for the revocation of his credentials.
Acknowledging the misstep, Newton issued an apology on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. "I have been in touch with the Panthers and have also reached out to Xavier Legette to apologize for my question Thursday regarding his late father’s Cowboys fandom," he wrote. "There is no excuse for my forgetting a hard moment in X’s life. I have nothing but respect for Xavier. It was an innocent mistake on my part, but a hurtful one, and I hope he will accept my apology."
And this is the part most people miss... While Newton claims it was an innocent mistake, the incident raises important questions about the responsibilities of sports journalists. How much personal information should reporters retain about the athletes they cover? Is it reasonable to expect reporters to remember every detail of an athlete's life, especially when dealing with sensitive topics like death and grief? Or should reporters always err on the side of caution and avoid potentially triggering subjects altogether?
It's easy to see why some fans might be skeptical of Newton's apology, given his past coverage and the fact that he had previously written about Legette's family tragedies. Was this truly an innocent oversight, or a careless disregard for Legette's feelings? What do you think? Should Newton be forgiven, or does this incident highlight a larger issue of insensitivity in sports journalism? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
