Tetairoa McMillan, a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, has ignited controversy after he used the N-word during a live stream on Wednesday night. The incident occurred while he was participating in the Streamer Bowl, a pre-Super Bowl event featuring various internet personalities.
During the live broadcast, McMillan was teamed up with popular streamers YonnaJay and Tamir as they played the football video game Madden. After an interception that secured a win for his team, McMillan celebrated exuberantly, exclaiming, “N*****, N*****, pick. We won.” The reaction from YonnaJay was immediate; visibly shocked, she covered her face with cue cards to mask her surprise.
As McMillan settled back onto the couch, the tension in the room was palpable. YonnaJay and Tamir exchanged several awkward glances, and YonnaJay muttered something inaudible to McMillan, highlighting the discomfort of the moment.
The clip of the incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking intense discussions among fans regarding the appropriateness of McMillan”s choice of words. The 22-year-old athlete, who hails from Hawaii and has Polynesian roots, faced backlash from some viewers who accused him of racism. One critic stated, “I”m sure the Panthers organization is furious with him for being a racist…”
However, not all reactions were negative. Supporters defended McMillan, suggesting that the context of the situation and his background should be considered. One fan remarked, “I feel like most black peeps won”t care unless the person that says it is white.” Another added, “As a Panthers fan, he”s definitely good in my book.” Yet, there were also calls for disciplinary action, with some demanding that the Panthers suspend him.
McMillan”s rookie season has been notable, as he emerged as a key player for the Panthers, finishing with 1,014 receiving yards on 70 targets and scoring seven touchdowns. His contributions helped the team reach the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2017, although their Super Bowl aspirations were cut short when they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round.
This incident raises questions about the responsibility of athletes in the public eye, particularly in informal settings such as live streams. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how the Panthers organization will respond to McMillan”s actions and what this means for his future with the team.
