Panthers’ Titairoa McMillan apologizes for using the N-word

Panthers wide receiver Tetiroa McMillan apologized for using a racial slur during a video game livestream event on Wednesday.

McMillan, who is of Native Hawaiian descent, was recorded yelling the N-word twice after being intercepted while playing Madden 26 during Streamer Bowl VII, a charity e-sports tournament.

The rookie took to social media on Thursday to offer his apology.

“Yesterday during the live broadcast, I used a term I shouldn’t have used.” Macmillan Books On his Instagram story. “There is no excuse for what I said – I sincerely apologize for speaking without thinking and I will do better.”

McMillan, selected with the No. 8 pick in the 2025 draft, is one of the top candidates for this season’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award after putting up a rookie-leading 1,014 receiving yards — the most ever by a Panthers rookie — with seven touchdowns on 70 receptions in 17 games.

McMillan played a key offensive role on a Carolina team that earned its first playoff berth since 2017 with a first-place finish in the NFC South.

However, the Panthers’ Super Bowl hopes were eventually cut short, with 34-31 loss to the Rams During the Wild Card Round on January 10.

In his second season at the helm of Carolina, coach Dave Canales led his team to an 8-9 record, a marked improvement from 5-12 in 2024.

After the devastating loss that was decided in the final minutes of the match, Canales told reporters that his players would certainly feel the sting of the missed opportunity.

“There’s a mix of emotions right now in the locker room, from the players feeling proud of what we’ve accomplished and where we’ve come, to being fed up with the opportunity we had in front of us,” Canales said.

“This is going to sting.”