The latest internet hoax victim is Cam Newton as the Carolina Panther quarterback was rumored to have broken both legs in a car accident. Fans may have been fooled as the reports were spread by Global Associated News.
The Panthers' PR Twitter account posted a tweet reading the following:
Well in fact, it wasn't Twitter that started the rumor since the Global Associated News sent out this detailed report.
"A spokesperson for the Carolina highway safety authority (HSA) has confirmed that Cam Newton has broken both of his legs in a traffic altercation. He has been transported via ambulance to a local Carolina hospital for treatment, and the full extent of his injuries are not known at this time, however, both of his legs were visibly broken and not life threatening according to sources.
The accident involved a 2012 BMW driven by Cam Newton and a 76 year old female driver in a 2010 Audi. The driver of the Audi was issued a citation for failing to stop at a red light before striking the vehicle driven by Cam Newton at a high rate of speed."
The details seem so descriptive, especially when they specifically involving a 76-year-old female. Who would just make up a story involving an elderly person?
Well, people probably read the hoax and didn't scroll to the bottom of the article to read the remainder of the story claiming that all the details were made up, completely fake and 100 percent untrue.
Nowadays, because of social media, everybody thinks they're a reporter. So a lot of fans took their thoughts and even some prayers to Twitter where they shared the news of Newton's supposed accident.
The news caught a lot of people offguard and those who support Newton probably froze as they thought the worse. Possibly a career ending injury that would keep one of the league's most talented quarterbacks away from the game forever.
Newton struggled in 2012, but he exploded onto the NFL scene in 2011 with an outstanding rookie season that saw him throw for over 4,000 yards with 21 passing and 14 rushing touchdowns. It was an incredible season indeed and many thought 2012 would be the year the Panthers would end up in the playoffs.
The league adjusted to Newton's game and the star from Auburn only found the end zone a total of 27 times in 2012. He threw for 17 touchdowns and ran it in for eight.
As you can see, his legs are pretty valuable to the man. Granted, most athletes need two legs two compete, Newton depends on his running game to score points.
Injuring one look would be worrisome, injuring both legs would be almost unimaginable and a disaster for Panther fans and Newton supporters.
He's fine though. It was just a hoax. Not a Manti Te'o hoax, but a hoax that worried people throughout the world.
