After asking Panthers star Xavier Legette an insensitive question about his deceased father, ESPN reporter David Newton fumbled in the worst way possible. Now he threw up a lengthy apology note.
Sep 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) warms up prior to a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) warms up prior to a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
NFL fans intercepted it and ran it back for a touchdown. The veteran Panthers beat writer tried damage control after his insensitive joke left the second-year receiver visibly hurt. His mea culpa landed very flat.
NFL Fans Reject Reporter’s Apology After Xavier Legette Breaks Down Over Insensitive Question
The incident happened Friday in the Panthers’ locker room. Newton asked Legette if he’d ever rooted for Dallas growing up before their Sunday matchup against the Cowboys.
During the interview, Legette mentioned that his father had been a Cowboys fan when he was younger. Newton responded with a remark suggesting his father wouldn’t be cheering for them this week.
He is the same reporter who had published a lengthy feature profiling both his parents’ deaths. So, angry fans erupted on social media, asking what on earth made Newton joke about this sensitive subject.
The “dumb” reporter immediately posted his apology on X Friday afternoon. He wrote, “I have been in touch with the Panthers and have also reached out to Xavier Legette to apologize for my question regarding his late father’s Cowboys fandom.”
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
“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,” he added.
Fans weren’t buying his explanation. The backlash came immediately with no mercy.
One fan wrote, “How did you forget and you wrote an entire piece on the death of his parents? That makes no sense… unless you have a ghost writer?”
Another noted, “You didn’t forget his dad died. You wrote a story about it. There is 0% chance you are telling the truth here. Gross. You made a comment that his dead dad probably wouldn’t be a Dallas fan this week. Just an unnecessary thing to say. Now lying makes ur true colors indisputable.”
A third user claimed, “YOU WROTE A F—– ARTICLE ABOUT THEM. HOW DO YOU F—– FORGET.”
The fourth added, “You can apologize all you want. That’s great of you. But not knowing that info should exclude you from being this team’s reporter.”
A fifth fan reminded him of something very serious, noting, “Literally that same day you called Taylor Moton a RG. The day before you said MULTIPLE times Chubba had a quad, while he has had a calf for weeks. You are not fit for this job.”
The “innocent mistake” excuse crumbled under scrutiny. Newton’s own byline contradicted his apology. He’d written about Anthony Legette’s fatal heart attack. He’d documented Anita’s cancer battle. He’d interviewed Xavier about growing up without parents.
So, his apology rings hollow when you know the history. Folks aren’t letting it slide. Calls for his termination continue growing but the network hasn’t commented on potential discipline.