Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik found himself at the center of a disturbing internet hoax over the weekend.
A since-deleted message board post on Tigernet.com falsely claimed he had been injured in a serious car accident. The fake news was later amplified by the satirical “Message Board Geniuses” social media account, alleged that Klubnik could not move his arm or shoulder following the supposed incident.
However, in the words of Winston Churchill, "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."
The story was quickly debunked by Klubnik’s mother, Kim, who told CBS Sports via text message that her son was unharmed.
“Thankfully, it is fake news,” she said. “Cade is fine!” But she admitted the rumor shook her. “My heart has not stopped racing since someone shared the story with me. How can someone be so cruel?”
This latest round of misinformation proves you can't trust everything on the internet.
There's a rumor going around tonight that Clemson QB Cade Klubnik was injured in a car accident.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) August 25, 2025
That is categorically false, per his mom, Kim.
Don't believe everything you see on message boards and on Twitter, y'all. Baseless rumors are cruel. https://t.co/o2Cj0CXxPN
Klubnik, a preseason All-American and pivotal leader of the No. 4-ranked Tigers, is preparing for a highly anticipated season opener against No. 9 LSU. His profile has only gotten bigger before the season. Klubnik is coming off a breakout season in which he threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns against six interceptions, putting himself in the conversation as one of the nation’s top signal-callers.
Klubnik closed last year with 336 yards and three scores in a College Football Playoff loss to Texas, setting the stage for a 2025 campaign where he is expected to contend for the Heisman Trophy.
This is not the first viral rumor involving a star quarterback this month. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier was similarly targeted when minor knee tendinitis morphed into a false “torn ACL” narrative online. In both cases, programs were left frustrated by how quickly baseless speculation gained traction.
For Clemson, the bottom line is simple. If Klubnik is healthy, the Tigers will be a Playoff contender. The focus remains on their Saturday night showdown with LSU (7:30 p.m. ET on ABC).
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