Internet Rumor Sparks Outrage for Ole Miss Freshman Mary Kate Cornett

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — During a segment of “The Pat McAfee Show” on Feb. 26, host Pat McAfee notably shifted focus from NFL draft analysis to a scandalous rumor involving a freshman at Ole Miss, Mary Kate Cornett. As the show aired amid the NFL Scouting Combine, the discussion veered into what McAfee termed an Internet phenomenon, claiming, “Dad had sex with son’s girlfriend,” a claim he noted was not substantiated.

This unproven rumor rapidly escalated when shared on social media platforms like YikYak and X (formerly Twitter), ultimately reaching a wide audience when McAfee addressed it, raising serious concerns for Cornett, whose life became entangled in the fallout.

“When the more popular people started posting, that’s when it really, really changed,” Cornett stated, noting that the rumor transformed her collegiate experience from one of joy to one filled with anxiety. Just days before the rumor emerged, the 18-year-old business major enjoyed a standard freshman life, dating a fellow student and engaging with campus activities.

However, everything changed after the rumor about her allegedly inappropriate relationship gained traction, culminating in her being targeted with harassment and threats. Campus police advised her to seek emergency housing, leading Cornett to switch to online classes for safety.

In a profoundly unsettling turn of events, Houston police arrived at her mother’s home with guns drawn on Feb. 27, responding to a false report intended to mislead them into believing a crime was occurring, a tactic widely known as “swatting.” Security footage from her home, as well as a police report, confirmed the incident.

Subsequent online harassment included degrading messages, voicemails, and threats, pushing Cornett to remove her name from her dorm door. She has since expressed feelings of being haunted with anxiety over the baseless accusations, stating, “You’re ruining my life by talking about it on your show for nothing but attention.”

In response, Cornett and her boyfriend issued statements through social media denouncing the rumor, branding it as “false” and “disturbing.” Their messages called for accountability, with Cornett’s father enlisting a private investigator and reaching out to local authorities for help.

Cornett’s attorney, Monica Uddin, indicated that legal action against those involved in the rumor’s spread is being considered, including individuals and companies that might have profited from it. “It’s just a Wild West version of a very familiar problem,” Uddin said. She emphasized the need for accountability regarding the irresponsible amplification of falsehoods.

During a press conference, Cornett articulated the distressing situation: “I just feel defeated, honestly.” Despite her efforts to seek solace from friends and family, including tackling the ongoing harassment endured by her boyfriend, life has become increasingly isolating for her.

While McAfee and other personalities refuse to comment publicly on the backlash, the fallout has left Cornett struggling with feelings of helplessness. In light of these violations of privacy, her father lamented, “You can’t catch the car. You can’t stop it from happening. You just have to sit there and watch your kid be destroyed.” As Cornett anxiously contemplates her future, the effects of this incident threaten to follow her long after the headlines fade.