NFL wide receiver Xavier Legette had a unique culinary experience during his family’s Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday, indulging in an unconventional choice of meat.
The Carolina Panthers rookie was asked by teammate Robert Hunt about his Thanksgiving plans after practice, and Legette’s answer was far from ordinary. While most Americans were preparing to feast on the traditional turkey, Legette revealed that he was excited to enjoy something a little different: raccoon.
“Man, what I’m mostly excited to eat today is gonna be that raccoon,” Legette said in an Instagram story shared by Hunt. The unexpected answer quickly caught the attention of fans. Legette went on to explain, “My cousin called me up last night, told me they killed the raccoon two days ago. They took the clothes off and everything—washed him up. Yeah, we ’bout to dive into that today.”
Legette’s openness about his Thanksgiving meal went viral, sparking plenty of online chatter. The rookie from South Carolina has been known to catch people’s attention for reasons beyond just his play on the field—his thick country accent and candid remarks have already led to several memorable moments this season.
One such instance occurred earlier this year when Legette, who describes himself as a picky eater, expressed concerns about finding something suitable to eat during the Panthers’ trip to Germany to face the New York Giants.
In his unmistakable Southern drawl, he admitted, “I just started eating asparagus.” The clip was widely shared, and fans found his genuine hesitation both amusing and endearing.
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During the trip, Legette also had the chance to try some traditional German cuisine for local broadcaster RTL.
Despite his earlier uncertainty, he appeared to enjoy sampling the local delicacies, particularly the sausages—a moment that earned him further admiration from fans for his willingness to step out of his comfort zone.
On the field, Xavier Legette has been making an impact in his rookie season. Selected as the No. 32 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, the wide receiver has shown flashes of brilliance.
So far, he has racked up 340 receiving yards and four touchdowns, with six games still left to play in the season. His promising performance has given Panthers fans hope for the future, as the team looks to build around its young talent.
Legette and the Panthers are set to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend, and fans are eager to see if he can continue his strong showing. Whether it’s his unique Thanksgiving feast or his playmaking ability on the field, Xavier Legette has certainly found a way to make his mark this season—both in the kitchen and on the gridiron.
