ESPN Issues Response to Backlash Over Dallas Cowboys Video on First Take

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dean Koutouratsas | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 4:50 PM ET

Training camp for the 32 NFL franchises starts throughout this week, and a recent social media post has gotten ESPN into some trouble.

A video of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott slinging a pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks from training camp in 2023 was passed along on X as Prescott throwing the ball to wide receiver George Pickens on Monday. It then appeared on ESPN’s “First Take,” where the analysts discussed the clip as if it was recent.

The Cowboys didn’t begin practicing until Tuesday, which Dallas News beat reporter Joseph Hoyt pointed out and criticized ESPN for not fact-checking the video.

“1) That’s embarrassing from ESPN,” Hoyt wrote on X. “2) That’s why I reminded people yesterday that practice didn’t start until today. I get it: people are trying to have fun (or engagement farm — one of the two), but people *actually* believe it. And then they share it. Even professionals!”

1) That’s embarrassing from ESPN.
2) That’s why I reminded people yesterday that practice didn’t start until today. I get it: people are trying to have fun (or engagement farm — one of the two), but people *actually* believe it. And then they share it. Even professionals! https://t.co/ERvlOQSDWK
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) July 22, 2025

How Did ESPN Respond

Following the slew of backlash coming from fans and members of the media, ESPN issued a short apology during “First Take.”

“Quick clean up on our part because earlier today we showed a video of George Pickens at Cowboys training camp, [but] it was not George, so we apologized for that,” host Molly Qerim said.

The apology might not be enough to keep fans happy because some are upset over ESPN airing the clip even though it was from two years ago. Furthermore, some believe that major sports media outlets like ESPN should do better when it comes to making sure old videos are not aired on the broadcast because of the negative impact it can have on their viewers' perception, which could harm the organization’s credibility.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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