Dawn Staley has broken the silence on the rumor circulating on social media about her calling out Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle video. Sweeney’s July 2025 advertising campaign for the apparel company went viral overnight. It divided the internet, with some calling it tone-deaf and borderline offensive, and others viewing it as just a promotion for a jeans brand.
After the “Euphoria” actress recently appeared in a GQ interview and spoke on the matter while promoting her upcoming movie “Christy”, a biopic of boxer Christy Martin, who helped legitimize women’s boxing. Staley was soon drawn into the controversy over a fake report.
Dawn Staley Clears the Air on Sydney Sweeney Jeans Ad Comment
The rumor claimed that Dawn Staley has called out American Eagle for casting Sydney Sweeney in their campaign over Chicago Sky star and former LSU player Angel Reese. The South Carolina coach was also falsely quoted as saying, “Jeans were invented by us, for us. It’s a Black legacy.”
Although the original post was removed afterward, the claim spread rapidly, especially on X, where it was denounced by several users through Community Notes. However, some still fell for it.
A fan, who claimed to be a South Carolina resident and a Gamecocks women’s basketball team supporter, called Staley out on X for the comment. The Hall of Famer did not hold back on debunking the rumor and confirming the truth.
“Hey Gary that live in SC… Did you ever stop to think that was fabricated?” Staley said. “I’m sure you didn’t. Being from SC, I thought you of all people would know I didn’t say such a thing. Now you JUST keep falling for anything… it looks good on you!”
Hey Gary that live in SC….did you ever stop to think that was fabricated? I’m sure you didn’t. Being from SC, I thought you of all people would know I didn’t say such a thing. Now you JUST keep falling for anything…it looks good on you! https://t.co/LDQ1MVySQc
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) November 10, 2025
Dawn Staley Falls for Fan “Rage-Bait”
Speaking of false reports, Staley herself was recently subjected to some good-natured online trolling for falling for “rage-bait” content.
It was announced last week that Staley’s South Carolina will face Geno Auriemma’s UConn on Nov. 24, 2026, at the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at the Mohegan Sun Arena. After losing the national championship to the Huskies last April, the Gamecocks will not face them this season due to a scheduling conflict.
After the announcement, Staley was asked to comment on the matchup at a media availability.
“We’ve been accused of ducking and all of that crap. Come on. We’ve played UConn for the past, I don’t know, 11 seasons. Now is the time to duck?” Staley said. “We could have ducked [UConn] seven, eight, nine years ago. No, it’s just so happened that [UConn] got more games scheduled in their conference, so it was hard to continue the home-and-home.”
Fans were quick to point out that the “ducking” allegations were not genuine and were an attempt by rival fans to get under her skin.
South Carolina faces Clemson next on Tuesday in another rivalry matchup, while UConn clashes against Loyola on Wednesday.
