David NewtonFeb 6, 2026, 10:33 AM
CloseDavid Newton is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Carolina Panthers. Newton began covering Carolina in 1995 and came to ESPN in 2006 as a NASCAR reporter before joining NFL Nation in 2013.
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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who is up for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award at NFL Honors, apologized for using a racial slur during a livestream video game event on Wednesday.
McMillan shouted the words “n—a, n—a, pick” after making an interception during Streamer Bowl VII, a charity esports tournament.
“Yesterday while on live stream, I used a term I should not have,” McMillan said in a statement posted to his Instagram story Thursday. “There’s no excuse for what I said — I sincerely apologize for speaking thoughtlessly and will do better.”
A team spokesperson pointed to McMillan’s apology when asked for comment.
McMillan, the eighth pick of the 2025 draft, had 70 catches on 122 targets for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns this past season. He led all NFL rookies in receiving yards and set a new Carolina rookie record in that category.