ESPN’s David Newton is issuing an apology after sparking backlash with the question that he asked during a media scrum this week.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette was speaking with reporters on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the session, Newton asked Legette, “The Cowboys are always America’s team. Did you grow up following them or anything like that?”
Legette replied by saying, “Yeah, when I was little, my dad was a Cowboy fan.”
Newton then said to Legette, “I figured he won’t be this week.” Here is the video.
Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette talks preparing for the Cowboys, run blocking and more. pic.twitter.com/0tM6RyWllM
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 10, 2025
Legette’s father died of a heart attack in 2019. Additionally, Legette’s mother died in 2015 after a battle with cancer.
As a result, Newton was quickly slammed online over his question to Legette. In response, Newton issued a public apology on his X page.
“I have been in touch with the Panthers and have also reached out to Xavier Legette to apologize for my question Thursday regarding his late father’s Cowboys fandom,” wrote Newton. “There is no excuse for my forgetting a hard moment in X’s life. I have nothing but respect for Xavier. It was an innocent mistake on my part, but a hurtful one, and I hope he will accept my apology.”
I have been in touch with the Panthers and have also reached out to Xavier Legette to apologize for my question Thursday regarding his late father’s Cowboys fandom. There is no excuse for my forgetting a hard moment in X’s life. I have nothing but respect for Xavier. It was an…
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) October 11, 2025
Newton is a veteran reporter for ESPN who has been on the Panthers beat since 2013. Thus, many believed that it was less defensible for Newton to make such a bad mistake as somebody who is around the team all the time.
Legette, 21, was Carolina’s first-round pick in 2024 (No. 32 overall). But he has struggled so far this season with just six catches for 39 yards and one touchdown, including some really terrible single-game performances. Now Legette is dealing with another negative headline, albeit through no fault of his own.
