Saturday was a game to forget for Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne, as he struggled mightily in Auburn’s 14-10 loss to Cal, throwing four interceptions in a performance that left many fans frustrated. Critics were quick to question head coach Hugh Freeze’s decision to bring Thorne back for another season, as the loss not only highlighted the quarterback’s struggles but also left fans searching for ways to express their displeasure.
However, in a unique twist, Auburn fans took their frustration to a new level, using technology to heckle the embattled quarterback in a way that few would have expected. During an interview on The Next Round, Thorne revealed that some fans have resorted to sending him Venmo requests after disappointing games, asking for money to cover their lost bets.
“It’s funny,” Thorne said, explaining the bizarre situation. “When they lose money, they want their money back, but when they win money on a parlay, no one’s ever sent me any of the winnings.”
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Despite the odd nature of the requests, Thorne kept a level head, sharing that he focuses on what matters most when dealing with the criticism and noise surrounding him. “You just have to block it out,” he said. “You have to go back to where your foundation is in your life. And for me, that’s my faith and my family. So just doing that, but also just keeping the focus on what’s next. Like I said, there’s nothing we can do about Saturday, but I can handle today.”
Thorne’s comments quickly circulated on social media, where fans expressed shock and amusement at the extent to which some Auburn supporters have gone to vent their frustrations. The idea of sending Venmo requests to a college quarterback over a bad game struck many as both absurd and humorous.
“If any non-college football fan ever asked me how CFB fans are, I would show them this,” one fan commented online, highlighting the unique intensity of the sport’s fanbase.
“This is the single funniest thing I’ve ever read about the Auburn Football program,” added another, marveling at the creativity of the heckling.
Some fans, however, were more disturbed by the behavior. “Gross, gross stuff,” said one commenter, calling out the practice as crossing a line of decency.
“Outta pocket lmao,” another user remarked, seemingly torn between finding the situation funny and inappropriate.
Meanwhile, others saw the humor in the whole situation, especially given the unpredictability of betting on college sports. “If you bet on Payton Thorne, you are probably your bookie’s best friend,” joked one fan.
“I’d say this is corny, but college kids doing this is pretty funny,” another admitted, acknowledging the lighthearted side of it all.
As Thorne prepares for Auburn’s next matchup against New Mexico, the final non-conference game before the Tigers head into SEC play, he’ll be looking for redemption on the field. Auburn kicks off its conference schedule against Arkansas on September 21, and fans are hoping for a more polished performance from their quarterback.
For Thorne, blocking out the noise—both in the stands and in his Venmo account—will be key to moving forward. Hopefully, with a better outing, there won’t be any more requests for refunds from angry bettors by the time the next game rolls around.
