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.
Did the NFL hire this lady to pretend to be a Chargers fan?
— Tommy Morris (@realtommymorris) October 17, 2023
-Wildly over animated
-Saying “get him” when the chargers are on offense
-shown over and over
-overwhelming majority of Cowboys fans at SoFi
-Clearly wearing brand new uniform
pic.twitter.com/AUnt9HnjBv
The Chargers Fan From Monday Night's Cowboys Game Had To Be An NFL Plant https://t.co/trDLZHS4bc pic.twitter.com/BFgy66tUAf
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 17, 2023
Chargers stopped spending money on online trolls and switched back to paying fake fans to go crazy on tv 😂
— fightforsd (@fightforsd) October 17, 2023
This is an actress paid by the NFL to act like this. The Chargers don’t have fans. https://t.co/66wUBFFIVd
— ChiefsJayhawksRoyals (@CJR16255) October 17, 2023
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.
Sorry, conspiracy theorists: The #Chargers fan who went viral Monday night and her husband are season ticket holders who rent cabana suites every season for multiple games, I’m told.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 17, 2023
They’re true diehard fans — not actors — and wanted to get the word out. pic.twitter.com/pnHtKSvWlg
Some fans remain unconvinced, though.
That’s what they want you to think.
— Joey🧙♂️ (@J__D__S) October 17, 2023
this is what the Chargers want us to think
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) October 17, 2023
Sounds like something a paid actor would say…
— CLT Capper (@CLTcapper) October 17, 2023
Nahh that’s one of them AI fans. You’re not slick pic.twitter.com/9vTuMhVh5e
— gleef.win (@TheGleef) October 17, 2023
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.
Despite the many questions about this #Chargers superfan from last night, turns out she isn't a paid actress after all, she's a season ticket holder, per @TomPelissero
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 17, 2023
She's just a really... really, die hard fan 😄pic.twitter.com/eSguFwlxuS https://t.co/P7Zu4LQnru
The Chargers fan of all-time pic.twitter.com/PArV3kkhBs
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 17, 2023
.@PatMcAfeeShow was LOVING the energy from this Chargers fan at MNF ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1whgMYT2Mp
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 17, 2023
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”