How a Four-Year-Old’s Football Predictions Sparked a Dark Online Backlash
What began as a lighthearted father-daughter NFL tradition has become an unsettling example of how online sports culture (and legalized gambling) can blur the line between entertainment and obsession.
From Wholesome NFL Viral Hit to National Attention
Reese Donatelli is four years old. She is not an football analyst, nor does she pretend to be one. Her weekly game predictions are based on simple childhood logic: favorite colors, familiar mascots, or a fondness for cheese. For years, that innocence has been the foundation of a charming social media series that captured the attention of football fans nationwide.
Reese’s father, Anthony Donatelli, began sharing the videos nearly four years ago as a way to bond with his daughter and introduce her to the sport he loves. Using miniature NFL helmets, he helped Reese learn colors and geography while allowing her to “pick” winners by grabbing the helmet she liked best. The series, now known as Trust the Toddler, quickly gained traction as Reese’s enthusiastic personality and occasional accuracy made her a viral favorite.
That goodwill, however, evaporated during the opening weeks of the NFL playoffs.
When Reese incorrectly predicted several postseason games, including an 0-for-6 showing on Wild Card weekend, some followers responded with hostility. According to Donatelli, the family began receiving messages from angry gamblers who blamed Reese for their losses, with some claiming they were owed money. The situation escalated to the point where the family received death threats.
“It’s nuts,” Donatelli said. “She’s obviously not an NFL analyst. She’s picking teams based on the color of her dress, or she’ll pick the Packers because she likes cheese.”
When Online Backlash Crossed the Line
The backlash drew widespread attention, even prompting a joking (and later apologized-for) comment from rapper Cardi B after Reese picked the New England Patriots to beat the Houston Texans. Ironically, that prediction proved correct, as New England won 28-16 to advance in the playoffs.
Despite the controversy, Donatelli has emphasized that he has no interest in escalating the situation or engaging in public feuds. His focus remains on preserving the positive experience he shares with his daughter.
At its core, Trust the Toddler was never about betting, analytics, or outcomes. It was about connection, a father sharing Sundays with his child and inviting others to enjoy something playful and harmless.
Reese and her father have no plans to stop making picks. For them, the tradition remains what it always was: time together, a few plastic helmets on the floor, and a reminder that not everything in sports needs to be taken so seriously.
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