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Social media was convinced a Chargers fan was a planted actor. But was she?

Trent Wood
·3 min read
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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Gerald Everett (7) celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 16, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.

A cursory glance at X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, on Monday night revealed that many NFL fans believed that the Los Angeles Chargers and/or the NFL had planted a paid actor in the stands for the purpose of convincing people that there actually are Chargers fans out there. In Los Angeles, even.

This fan’s reactions, shown multiple times on ESPN’s broadcast of the game between the Chargers and Dallas Cowboys — the Cowboys won 20-17 — appeared to be just a little too over the top for many viewers to believe that they were genuine.

As it turns out, though, she is a genuine Chargers fan — the term “fanatic” feels appropriate in this case — according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Some fans remain unconvinced, though.

Not everyone questioned the fan’s motives or her genuine nature, though.

Many expressed excitement about/love for/support of her delirious reactions to the Chargers’ successes and failures Monday night.

After all the hubbub, the fan — Merrianne Do — went on the Pat McAfee Show Tuesday afternoon and gave her reaction to the reactions to her reactions.

“I wear my heart on my sleeve and I’m intense,” she said. “I’ve been a football fan for as long as I can remember and I’m passionate about it”