The Carolina Panthers hosted their first playoff game in years against the Los Angeles Rams, a matchup that drew attention not only for the on-field action but also for an unusual pregame moment. ESPN reporter David Newton shared a viral video showing two men in cowboy hats riding horses toward the stadium, mistakenly identifying one rider as Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette, known for his love of horses. However, it was later clarified that neither rider was Legette, and Newton retracted his post after the error spread widely.

Despite the mix-up, the game itself was competitive, with the Panthers putting up a strong fight but ultimately falling to the Rams 34-31. The incident highlighted the rarity of seeing horseback riders at a modern football event and underscored the importance of verifying details before sharing viral content.