Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is dealing with a sudden off-field controversy at the worst possible time: hours before NFL Honors 2026, where he’s one of the five finalists for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
A clip from a live-streamed Madden event during Super Bowl week spread across social media Wednesday night, showing McMillan using the N-word during a celebration. He posted an apology Thursday.
The timing couldn’t be worse, as he’s already in the national spotlight with the NFL Honors award show just hours away.
McMillan is Native Hawaiian and of Polynesian descent.
The streamers he was with were SHOCKED 😳😬
What Time Does NFL Honors Start and How to Watch
- NFL Honors 2026 is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT) on Thursday night.
- It will air on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock.
What Happened on the Live Stream
McMillan participated in the Streamer Bowl – a creator/gaming event tied to Super Bowl week – and the moment came after a game-sealing play during the broadcast. The video quickly circulated, with viewers reacting in real time on stream and then again as the clip went viral on X and other platforms.
On Thursday, McMillan apologized for his language, writing that there was “no excuse” and that he would “do better.”
The Panthers have not publicly announced any discipline in the immediate aftermath, and the NFL had not announced any league action as of Thursday afternoon. (If that changes, it becomes an instant update story.)
Why the Timing Is a Big Deal With NFL Honors Airing Tonight
The story landed on the same day the NFL is trying to spotlight the league’s biggest awards on a national stage.
NFL Honors 2026 takes place Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, hosted by Jon Hamm, with the show airing on NBC (and also carried on NFL platforms/streaming options).
And McMillan isn’t just “a player who was on a stream.” He’s a major part of the program tonight. He’s of Polynesian and Hawaii descent, so his usage of the N-word hit many fans the worst type of way. McMillan, who attended Servite High School in Anaheim, California, has quickly become one of the Panthers’ most recognizable young stars.
McMillan is officially listed as one of the five finalists for Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year, alongside Emeka Egbuka, Jaxson Dart, TreVeyon Henderson, and Tyler Shough, according to the Panthers’ site.
On top of that, McMillan’s rookie resume is exactly why his name has search juice right now: the Panthers list him at 70 catches on 122 targets for 1,014 receiving yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season.
Earlier in the morning, McMillan’s competition, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough was named the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year, a fan-vote award.
This latest controversy could not come at a worse time for McMillan.
What It Means for McMillan and the Panthers Next
For McMillan, the immediate question is whether the controversy follows him onto the red carpet and into the broadcast conversation, especially if he wins. The longer-term question is whether the Panthers or league decides additional accountability is needed beyond the public apology.
For Carolina, it’s a reminder that the franchise is building around young stars under a brighter spotlight than ever. McMillan was the Panthers’ No. 8 overall pick and quickly became a marquee name in the league’s rookie class, now he’s learning what comes with that attention.
And for the NFL, it’s another example of how Super Bowl week side events (streams, creator showcases, live content) can create headline moments that collide with the league’s most polished TV windows.
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