Panthers WR Xavier Legette, who admitted eating raccoon, isn’t looking for sympathy for dropped catches
Despite the Panthers' struggles, rookie Xavier Legette remains confident, refusing any sympathy as he believes in his skills.
Follow Us
Xavier Legette (Image via ESPN/X)
Xavier Legette doesn’t want anyone’s sympathy even after an underwhelming first year with the Carolina Panthers, which included a game-tying dropped catch. Legette has faith in his abilities as an NFL wide receiver.
In week 14, while playing the Philadelphia Eagles, the first-round pick missed a golden opportunity to win the game for the Panthers. Quarterback Bryce Young threw an inch-perfect pass into the arms of Legette, but the ball touched the turf when he dived to make the catch.
If Legette had held on to the pass, then the Panthers would have had a 32-yard touchdown; instead, the referee ruled it an incomplete pass. The game ended in a 22-16 loss for Dave Canales’ Panthers. Legette went under the radar for a few days before resurfacing as a special guest on Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown’s podcast.
In the meantime, his family members and friends told him to keep his head up high and drool over his past mistakes. The 23-year-old in an interview from inside the Panthers locker room said he doesn’t want anyone’s sympathy.
Everybody’s just saying the same thing. But ain’t looking for the sympathy. I know what I gotta do or what I need to do so it’s gonna come to.
Xavier Legette said
Xavier Legette has heard from a lot of people this week, from family to other players, telling him to keep his head up.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 12, 2024
But Legette says he “ain’t looking for no sympathy.” pic.twitter.com/A55eHmjOF4
Legette owned up to his mistake, costing the Panthers an important win. During the heat of the moment, he didn’t realize that he had dropped the ball.
I thought I caught that. Then I just watched the video, they just put the replay up, I ain’t know it hit the ground.
Xavier Legette said via Touchdown Wire
He finished the game with two receptions for 39 yards and 2 drops over eight targets.
Xavier Legette to undergo surgery after the season
There were rumors that Legette was carrying a wrist injury, which may have been the cause behind the recent drops. He acknowledged the rumors to be true, but refused to make it an excuse.
Furthermore, he will undergo surgery in the off-season to fix the injured wrist that has been bothering him since the South Carolina days back in 2021. It does raise the question whether he unnecessarily dived for the ball to protect the wrist.
Regardless, that’s in the past, and Legette should focus on reducing dropped chances in the Panthers’ remaining games, which only include fixtures against NFC teams: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, and Dallas Cowboys. Perhaps he can better his current stat line of 39 receptions for 432 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Related: Tom Brady’s son Jack was one of the biggest factors in him joining the Bucs after Patriots exit
Stay Updated!
Ishan Misra
(3023 Articles Published)