The Carolina Panthers are gearing up to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. Both teams have struggled through the start of the season, and both sit in third place in their respective divisions. The Panthers are currently 2-3, and the Cowboys are 2-2-1.
In the days leading up to the Cowboys game, a member of the media made an insensitive comment to beloved Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette, prompting pushback from fans and forcing an apology from the reporter.
What Did the Reporter Say to Xavier Legette and How Did He Respond?
Legette has had a rocky start to the season after suffering a hamstring injury that caused him to miss some games. However, he finally scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins. Despite his talent, the tough start has led to him earning a grade of F in PFSN’s wide receiver impact metric.
Panthers reporter David Newton was forced to apologize to Legette because of a question he asked during their pre-game interview on Thursday.
Newton asked Legette if he was a fan of “America’s Team,” referring to the Cowboys, as a child.
Legette responded, “Yeah, when I was little, my daddy was a Cowboys fan.”
“I’m thinkin’ he won’t be this week,” retorted Newton.
Legette hung his head a bit and sighed before answering, “For sure, for sure, ain’t a Cowboy fan no more.”
Sadly, Legette lost both of his parents while he was still in high school. His father, Anthony, died of a heart attack during his senior year, and his mother, Anita, passed away from breast cancer when he was just a freshman.
The interview then moved on to other game-related topics, but Newton clearly realized the error he had made and days later issued an apology.
Newton, who works for ESPN, posted his apology to Legette on X, noting that he reached out personally to the team and to Legette.
“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 innocent mistake on my part, but a hurtful one, and I hope he will accept my apology,” wrote Newton in his post.
For many fans, his apology came too late. Newton found himself in hot water, but that isn’t new for him. Most of the Panthers’ fan base has long disliked Newton for his coverage of the team over the years.
Rooting for Xavier Legette even more today. David Newton will pay for his crimes.
— Maya. (@MayaDavis_) October 12, 2025
In 2024, Newton wrote an article for ESPN that covered the death of Legette’s parents. That was a fact that wasn’t lost on the fans. Many of them felt the “innocent mistake” comment was nothing more than a weak excuse.
It’s no surprise that Legette quickly became a fan favorite. He is a Carolina native, and they love his deeply southern drawl. In addition to that, the second-year receiver won fans over with stories about his unique dining preferences, which include hunting and cooking things like raccoons and squirrels.
