The Ole Miss Barstool Controversy: A Case Study in the Virality of False Information
The rapid spread of information, often unchecked and unverified, is a defining characteristic of the modern internet. While virality can propel individuals to fame, it can also unleash a torrent of negativity and destruction, as exemplified by the recent controversy surrounding Mary Kate Cornett, a 19-year-old University of Mississippi student. This incident, amplified by prominent figures like Pat McAfee and personalities affiliated with Barstool Sports, serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of online rumors and the responsibilities that come with a large platform.
The Genesis of a Rumor
The ordeal began with a rumor circulating on YikYak, an anonymous messaging app popular among college students. The rumor alleged that a student at Ole Miss, a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, was involved with her boyfriend's father. Within hours, Cornett found herself the subject of intense scrutiny, with people staring at her on campus. Soon, her name was trending on X (formerly Twitter), falsely identified as the person at the center of the rumor.
Cornett described the experience as shocking and overwhelming. "It was so insane. It all happened so fast," she said. "I was just in shambles. I just felt so helpless and so alone because so many people were hating on me for something that I had no idea anything about.”
Amplification by Prominent Voices
The situation escalated when Pat McAfee, a former NFL player and ESPN host, discussed the rumor on "The Pat McAfee Show." While Cornett and her boyfriend were not mentioned by name, McAfee referenced an alleged "ménage à trois" at Ole Miss, stating that an "Ole Miss frat bro" allegedly "had a K-D (Kappa Delta) girlfriend." He further added, "At this exact moment, this is what is being reported by … everybody on the internet: Dad had sex with son’s girlfriend… And then it was made public … that’s the absolute worst-case situation." McAfee then shared a clip of the discussion on X, where it garnered over 1.8 million views.
Following McAfee's show, personalities affiliated with Barstool Sports also referenced the rumor online. KFC Barstool posted a video about the incident, which was later deleted, while Jack Mac promoted a meme coin containing Cornett's name in a post that remained on X as of Wednesday.
Read also: Analyzing Ole Miss Enrollment Trends
The Fallout: Harassment and a "Swatting" Incident
The spread of the rumor had devastating consequences for Cornett. She and her family faced a barrage of harassment and insults, with Cornett saying that the incident had "practically ruined" her life. Her number was shared online, leading to "thousands" of calls and texts, some of which included death threats. The harassment was so severe that Cornett could barely leave her dorm room and had to switch to online classes.
The situation took an even darker turn when police showed up at Cornett's mother's home in Houston with guns drawn in what appeared to be a "swatting" incident. This involved a false report of extreme violence designed to elicit an overwhelming law enforcement response to someone's home.
Legal Action and Calls for Accountability
Cornett intends to take legal action against McAfee and ESPN, and potentially others who, she said, helped spread the rumor. Her attorney, Monica Uddin, believes that Cornett was a victim of cyberbullying and has grounds for a defamation case. "Defamation has existed for a long time. You can’t lie about someone with impunity - and that’s what has happened to Mary Kate," Uddin said. "You can’t lie for money… Not using her name is not a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card, saying ‘allegedly’ is not a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card" the attorney said.
Cornett also issued a warning about the dangers of how false information can spread on social media. “If this happened to me, this could happen to anyone,” she said. “And there’s nothing I could have done to prevent what happened to me.”
Cornett’s dad, Justin Cornett, said that as a parent he was “worried” that his daughter “wouldn’t recover.” “You just want to protect them,” he said. “She’s a beautiful person. She has a tender heart and a kind soul.” Now, he said he “wants justice.” “The people that did this to her and her boyfriend and his dad deserve what they have coming to them,” he said.When asked what he would say to McAfee, Justin Cornett said, “When you have a microphone and you have a platform, you have a responsibility to take on that role with the respect of the people you report on being paramount. If this were to happen to him, his daughter, his wife, someone he loves, he sure wouldn’t like it. When you have a microphone, you have a responsibility and it needs to be taken seriously.”
Read also: Campus Life at Ole Miss
Barstool Sports' Response and Apology
Initially, Barstool Sports denied any direct involvement in promoting the rumor. Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, stated that one of his employees "posted on something on their personal socials but we don’t control those."
However, Portnoy later expressed regret and apologized to Cornett and her family. He said he understood why they were "pissed" and acknowledged that "It’s a vicious rumor… I’m sad, and I wish we didn’t play any part in it.” He also stated that he wanted to “throw up” after he learned his site was connected to the rumor. “Morally we were wrong,” he said Thursday. “I was bragging that morally I thought we were right.” Portnoy said he hopes to meet with Cornett’s family, though he said he’s not sure “how you put the toothpaste back in the tube.” Portnoy said that his lawyers and Cornett’s lawyers have been in communication and that Cornett’s lawyers offered two paths - a lawsuit or mediation. He said he planned to pursue mediation.
McAfee's Response
McAfee and his attorney have not responded to requests for comment. ESPN also did not respond to request for comment. During a show Wednesday, McAfee described being sued by former football star Brett Favre and said: “I’m cool with Brett. Just like the current situation that is happening where I have a lot of people saying that I should be sued. I want to say this: I never ever want to be a part of anything negative in anybody’s life.” “We will try to figure that out and make some sort of silver lining in a very terrible situation,” he said. “So you can have that promise from me. It won’t be as impossible to be a fan of mine going forward.”
The Broader Implications
The Ole Miss Barstool controversy highlights the dangers of unchecked information and the potential for online rumors to inflict significant harm. It raises important questions about the responsibilities of individuals and organizations with large platforms, as well as the need for greater media literacy and critical thinking skills among internet users. It also underscores the importance of considering the human impact of online content and the potential for even seemingly innocuous posts to have devastating consequences.
The incident also serves as a reminder of the legal ramifications of spreading false information online. Defamation laws exist to protect individuals from false statements that damage their reputation, and those who spread such statements can be held liable for the harm they cause.
Read also: Understanding Ole Miss Pharmacy School Costs
tags: #Ole #Miss #Barstool #controversy
