Insensitive Question About Xavier Legette’s Deceased Parents Has Fans Flaming ESPN Reporter – “This Is Journalism At Its Worst”

Wide receiver Xavier Legette grew up in South Carolina, played for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and now stars for the Carolina Panthers.

Insensitive Question About Xavier Legette’s Deceased Parents Has Fans Flaming ESPN Reporter – “This Is Journalism At Its Worst”

Xavier Legette lost both his parents early (Image via PanthersLore/X)

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When Xavier Legette heard NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell call his name at the 2024 Draft, he did not experience the full joy other prospects did when they found their calling in pro football.

The Carolina Panthers selected him No. 32 overall with the view that the South Carolina product will help new head coach Dave Canales build his roster according to his long-term vision.

The 6′ 3″ wideout has a good blend of size, agility, and speed. Those skills are rare, and the Panthers envisioned the young prospect becoming one of quarterback Bryce Young‘s favorite targets.

For Legette, he was living the dream that many athletes wish they could have. He plays for a team this close to his hometown after growing up through the ranks a few hours away.

However, the wideout and his family were die-hard fans of another franchise. It so happens that his father, Anthony Legette, and his mother, Anita Reaves Legette, were both die-hard fans of the Dallas Cowboys.

Their son grew up watching his parents root for America’s team. Now, entering Week 6, the Panthers will welcome the Cowboys, and ESPN reporter David Newton decided to ask the wideout if he watched the Cowboys growing up.

Yeah, when I was little, my daddy was a Cowboy fan.

Xavier Legette replied

To this, Newton, seeing the 24-year-old’s demeanor change, said:

I take it he won’t be this week.

David Newton said

After this statement, a still-hurting Xavier Legette added that his father sure won’t be cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, and the receiver, too, is no longer a fan of America’s Team.

Fans fume at ESPN reporter for question to Xavier Legette

When clips of this interview reached social media, football fans were left fuming. That is because they know that Xavier Legette’s parents passed away before he could reach college.

Fans wondered why the ESPN reporter would bring up such a sensitive topic. On top of that, after the first reply, the Panthers’ star’s facial expressions gave enough clues that he was hurting at the thought of remembering his parents.

Then, for the reporter to continue on that path was insensitive. Fans believe journalists should exercise caution when approaching such topics, and David Newton clearly did not do his job properly. Fans have been calling ESPN to take action. Examples of those reactions are listed below:

Xavier Legette might not ask his team or ESPN, or even the league, to look into this line of questioning. But fans hope the network reprimands the reporter for crossing the line.

Xavier Legette lost his parents before graduating high school

Xavier Legette was born to Anita Reaves Legette and Anthony Legette on January 29, 2001, in Mullins, South Carolina. Both parents played a crucial role in raising their son to become a potential future professional athlete.

Xavier Legette playing for the Panthers
Xavier Legette playing for the Panthers (Image via Keep Purring Podcast/X)

On the one hand, his mother’s dedication to helping their family overcome financial struggles stuck with the Panthers’ star. Then, he also embraced his father’s hard work ethic, who juggled multiple jobs to provide for his family.

Legette first lost his mother to breast cancer in 2015, just as he entered high school. She had envisioned her son becoming a millionaire as a professional athlete.

Then, four years later, as he was about to graduate, his father, Anthony Legette, died of a heart attack. The then-teenager struggled to cope initially, but was then helped by his grandmother.

Xavier Legette fulfilled his parents’ dream after being selected by the Carolina Panthers. Had they been there, it would have been a surreal experience watching their son earn millions as a professional athlete this close to home.

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