Viral photos in Pittsburgh Steelers jersey put Paige Spiranac back in the spotlight after golf scandal backlash

Golf influencer Paige Spiranac didn’t expect a simple moment of NFL fandom to spark a conversation, but that is exactly what happened when she openly supported the Pittsburgh Steelers during their game against the Detroit Lions. What looked like a casual shout-out quickly pulled attention back to a much heavier situation she has been dealing with online, one that has followed her far beyond sports.
Her support for the Steelers was nothing new. Spiranac has talked before about her connection to the team, often tying it to her Pennsylvania roots and longtime loyalty. But it was the timing that made all the difference. The post dropped while she was already under intense scrutiny after a recent golf tournament incident and the overlap brought renewed focus on the online backlash she has been navigating.
Spiranac also added to the confusion when she followed up by posting photos in two different jerseys. First, she shared a picture wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey, which many fans took as a clear show of support. Not long after, she posted another photo, this time in a Detroit Lions jersey, writing that she also liked the Lions. The mixed signals left fans debating which team she was actually backing. The back-and-forth quickly went viral on X, with fans sharing screenshots, memes and reaction especially after the Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions.

How a golf tournament moment led to intense online backlash

Many also called her a "cheater" in the comments. The controversy traces back to The Internet Invitational, a creator-driven golf event produced by Barstool Sports with a $1 million prize pool. The tournament featured dozens of online personalities and put Spiranac in front of an audience far larger than a typical golf event. During the final match, cameras showed Spiranac brushing grass near a teammate’s ball. Officials later ruled it a violation. Spiranac addressed it, saying she “did not know this rule” and stressing that she would never intentionally cheat after more than ten years in the sport. She admitted the moment was embarrassing, but said it was an honest mistake.
What followed went far beyond criticism of the play itself. In a series of Instagram Stories, Spiranac revealed the scale of the trolling she received. She said she was sent “tens of thousands of death threats” along with messages encouraging her to hurt herself. The situation became so serious that she and her team discussed seeking a restraining order. Looking back on the experience, she described just how overwhelming it felt. “The last week and a half is probably the worst hate I’ve ever received in the ten years of me doing this,” she said.
The wave of hostility pushed Spiranac to step away from posting altogether. She explained that the volume of hate made it necessary to focus on her mental health, especially because she “struggle[s] with wanting to be liked and accepted.”
Fans have since pointed out that Spiranac’s visibility as a woman in sports media often makes her a target for criticism that goes well beyond her actions. This pattern is not new for her. From her early days in collegiate golf to her rise as a major sports influencer, she has spoken openly about dealing with public judgment and online abuse.


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