Mary Kate Cornett, the Ole Miss college student who threatened legal action against ESPN star Pat McAfee last year over unverified rumors, was spotted standing next to McAfee on the sideline during the LSU-Ole Miss football game, according to reports by Yardbarker and Marca. Multiple social media photos and videos captured Cornett wearing a field pass while standing in close proximity to McAfee on Saturday evening.
The Background of the 2025 Controversy
The sideline sighting marks a notable reunion after a viral scandal dominated sports media headlines. According to reports by NBC News and The Athletic, the controversy began when anonymous social media accounts and apps like YikYak spread a false and salacious rumor suggesting Cornett cheated on her boyfriend with his father. McAfee discussed the rumors on his show without naming Cornett, while accurately characterizing the claims as rumors. Barstool Sports personalities also amplified the narrative.
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Following the widespread online harassment and doxxing that ensued, Cornett shared her story with national media outlets. According to The Athletic, Barstool Sports issued an apology to Cornett shortly after she went public. McAfee took several months to address the ordeal on-air, eventually reading a statement apologizing to the Cornett family for the anguish he helped cause. Awful Announcing later designated the Cornett saga as the worst sports media story of 2025 due to its intense public scrutiny and the broader questions it raised regarding online harassment.
Sideline Sighting at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
During Saturday’s matchup between LSU and Ole Miss—which also featured Lane Kiffin’s highly anticipated return to Ole Miss—Cornett and McAfee were documented standing mere feet apart on the field, as reported by Yardbarker and Marca. Photos published to Cornett’s personal Instagram account confirmed her identity in the viral media footage.
It remains unclear whether Cornett and McAfee interacted or were positioned near each other by coincidence. McAfee was working on-site with College GameDay. Cornett, a University of Mississippi student, has previously held field access for other campus games when McAfee was not present.
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