A University of Mississippi student, Mary Kate Cornett, and her family are preparing to take legal action after accusing ESPN’s Pat McAfee, former NFL star Antonio Brown, and Barstool Sports of spreading false, defamatory claims about her that went viral on social media earlier this week.
The controversy erupted when Cornett became the center of an online firestorm, with claims about her spreading rapidly across X (formerly Twitter). According to Cornett’s official statement, these allegations were based on doctored screenshots, AI-generated videos, and manipulated photographs that falsely implicated her in an online scandal. The false story gained massive traction, making Cornett the No. 1 trending topic on the platform.
Feeling the weight of the unwanted attention, Cornett and her family have now vowed to take legal action against those responsible, stating that their personal safety, reputation, and well-being have been severely compromised.
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Mary Kate Cornett Speaks Out: “A Coordinated Cyberattack”
Cornett released an official statement through her father, Justin Cornett, who posted her message on Facebook. In her statement, Cornett described the emotional toll of the incident and condemned social media figures—including McAfee, Brown, and Barstool Sports—for allegedly spreading misinformation without verifying facts.
“I have been the victim of a deliberate and coordinated cyberattack spreading categorically false and defamatory information,” Cornett wrote. “Partially and wholly edited screenshots, fake AI-generated videos, and manipulated photographs have been promoted by irresponsible social media participants and amplified by thousands of fake accounts.”
She went on to specifically call out McAfee, Brown, and Barstool Sports, accusing them of recklessly sharing false allegations that fueled public outrage.
“Not to be outdone by the bots, irresponsible independent social media influencers with apparent ties to Barstool Sports and even major public figures like Antonio Brown and Pat McAfee, who hosts ESPN’s ‘College GameDay,’ have shared these utter and complete lies with zero interest in the truth but instead spreading outlandish conjecture. No one affiliated with these organizations ever reached out to us for comment.”
Beyond the online harassment, Cornett revealed that her personal information was leaked online—a practice known as doxxing—which has led to thousands of threatening messages. Some messages even encouraged her to take her own life.
“Most alarmingly, my personal contact information has been doxxed and illegally shared publicly, putting my personal safety at risk,” Cornett stated. “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.”
Additionally, she claims that her name, image, and likeness (NIL) were used without her consent to promote a cryptocurrency scam, further fueling misinformation and financial exploitation.
“The unwanted attention garnered here rose to the number one trending topic on X in the U.S. and even associated me with an apparent meme coin using my name, image, and likeness without my permission. To be clear, we have zero affiliation with this scam and have not participated nor know anyone who has benefited in any capacity from it whatsoever.”
Legal Action: FBI and Private Investigators Brought In
In response to the ongoing threats and defamation, the Cornett family has taken decisive legal action, filing official police reports with:
- University of Mississippi campus police
- Oxford Police Department
- The FBI
Additionally, Mississippi Congressman Wesley Hunt’s office has been contacted, seeking federal assistance in identifying those responsible for orchestrating the online attack.
Justin Cornett, Mary Kate’s father, has also hired a private forensic data investigation team to track down the original source of the viral story, which he believes started as a fraternity prank that spiraled out of control.
“I refuse to let my family be targeted and am fully committed to pursuing all criminal and civil actions available,” Justin Cornett wrote. “To those responsible, we will find you.”
GoFundMe Launched to Support Victims of Cyber Defamation
In addition to pursuing justice for his daughter, Justin Cornett has also launched a GoFundMe campaign, aiming to help other victims of online harassment and defamation.
“While our family has been blessed with resources to pursue the truth and defend our name via the legal system, others are not so fortunate,” Cornett wrote.
The fundraiser will serve as seed capital for a foundation dedicated to assisting individuals impacted by cybercrime, ensuring that those affected have access to legal representation and cybersecurity protection. The Cornett family emphasized that none of the money raised will be used for personal expenses.
A Fight Against Online Harassment
Mary Kate Cornett’s case highlights the dangers of misinformation, cyberbullying, and reckless reporting by social media figures. As she and her family vow to hold those responsible accountable, their legal battle could set a significant precedent for how public figures and digital platforms handle viral allegations and online harassment.
With the FBI, forensic investigators, and legal teams involved, the case is far from over. The Cornetts remain firm in their commitment to clearing Mary Kate’s name, ensuring that the people behind this cyberattack face consequences.
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