At around 9:00 AM CST, a social media post purportedly from the official Nebraska Cornhuskers Twitter account stunned fans and sports media with the following headline: “We regret to inform you that Coach Matt Rhule has tragically passed away this morning due to a fatal car accident while traveling to Memorial Stadium.” The post quickly went viral, with hundreds of fans, players, and sports analysts expressing their sorrow and paying tribute to the beloved coach. The message appeared legitimate, leading many to believe the worst.
However, just hours later, Nebraska athletic officials called an emergency press conference to address the rapidly spreading misinformation. Coach Matt Rhule, visibly shaken but very much alive, appeared before reporters to clarify the situation.
“I am standing here today, alive and well,” Rhule said, his voice strained with disbelief. “This morning, I woke up to find that a message had been posted that I had passed away. It’s hard to even put into words how this makes me feel. It was an incredibly irresponsible and hurtful prank.”
Rhule explained that the hoax had been orchestrated by an individual who had managed to gain access to the official Cornhuskers’ social media accounts. What was meant to be a harmless April Fool’s joke quickly spiraled out of control, leading to real-world emotional distress for fans and players alike.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that someone would think this is funny,” Rhule continued. “The impact of this prank goes beyond the internet. It’s a cruel joke that has caused a lot of people to feel real grief and anxiety. To my family, to my players, and to the Nebraska community, I want to apologize for the pain this has caused.”
University of Nebraska officials immediately condemned the hoax, calling it an “utterly thoughtless and callous act.” The university vowed to work with law enforcement to identify those responsible and take legal action. Athletic Director Trev Alberts expressed his outrage during the press conference, calling the incident “completely unacceptable” and a violation of the trust the team and its fans have built.
“We are in the process of reviewing our security protocols and ensuring this does not happen again,” Alberts said. “No one should have to go through what Coach Rhule and his family experienced this morning. We will hold those responsible accountable.”
The hoax sent shockwaves throughout the Nebraska football community, with fans and former players flooding social media with expressions of grief and confusion. Nebraska quarterback Noah Matthews posted on Twitter, “Woke up to the worst news ever. I’m relieved to hear Coach Rhule is okay, but what happened today is beyond sick.”
In response, Rhule reassured his players and the Cornhuskers fan base that he was safe and focused on his work. “I’m here, I’m fine, and I’m looking forward to continuing to coach this team,” he said. “This won’t stop us. We will move forward and use this as a reminder of the responsibility we all carry, especially when it comes to sharing information online.”
While the situation was quickly clarified, it highlighted the darker side of internet pranks, especially those that involve sensitive topics like death. Many fans expressed outrage, and calls for stricter social media regulations gained traction. Authorities are investigating whether the perpetrators of the hoax could face charges related to emotional distress and identity theft, as the fake post was issued using official university channels.
As for Matt Rhule, the Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach remains committed to leading his team and is expected to be on the sideline for the next game, putting the ordeal behind him and focusing on the season ahead.
The incident serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences that can arise when online pranks cross a line—and of the real human impact that misinformation can have in today’s digital age.
Stay tuned for more updates as the investigation into the hoax continues.
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