Rapper Cardi B sparked online criticism after a social media clip showed her using profanity about 4-year-old NFL fan Reese Donatelli, prompting a response from the girl’s father.
Reese has gained attention on Instagram for her playful videos in which she randomly picks NFL team helmets to predict game winners.
In a recent clip, she chose the Denver Broncos over the New England Patriots. When the Patriots won 10-7, Cardi B reacted in an Instagram Live video, jokingly saying, “That little white girl said we weren’t going to win. F** that b**! I told y’ all.”
She later apologised, adding, “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to say that.”
The rapper’s reaction was reportedly linked to her boyfriend Stefon Diggs, a wide receiver for the Patriots, whose team she was supporting in the game leading to Super Bowl 2026.
Despite the context, the comment drew criticism online, with users defending the preschooler’s harmless activity.
Reese’s father, Anthony Donatelli, a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, addressed the controversy in a public statement:
“That’s my daughter… She’s 4 years old. This is a lighthearted, family-friendly video where she randomly picks football helmets. Please don’t direct profanity toward a child,” he wrote on Instagram.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Anthony explained that Reese’s picks are based on fun rather than sports knowledge.
“She’s obviously not an NFL analyst. She’s picking teams based on the colour of her dress, or she’ll pick the Packers because she likes cheese. She just relates these silly little things as reasons why she picks certain teams,” he said.
Online, a section of social media users criticised Cardi B’s language, while others defended her apology.
Mobetta on Instagram wrote, “This is just ghetto. She should learn to watch her mouth.”
Deshan Michelle added, “When Nicki did it to her… it was so wrong… but when Cardi does it, everyone turns a blind eye.”
Others, like Renee, noted, “She immediately apologised and said she didn’t mean it. She’s human, like all of us.”