The NFL’s official Twitter account was commandeered around noon on June 7—its hacker tweeting to say the club’s Commissioner Roger Goodell has passed away.
The hacker followed up with a second tweet once the first one was removed.
The hacker, who has yet to be identified, then playfully admitted he’d been found out.
Of course, these tweets were instantly deleted, and even prior to their deletion, the NFL’s Press Relations’ Representative Brian McCarthy, as well as sports anchors and reporters alike, took to Twitter to confirm Goodell is in fine health.
The @nfl Twitter account was hacked. @nflcommish is alive and well.
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) June 7, 2016
Goodell has been the league’s commissioner since 2006—and recently topped headlines for his handling of several domestic violence cases and for his suspension of the New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
More than 100 more tweets were sent to the @NFL handle’s server at the time, but only those three managed to actually post.
The NFL said in a written statement that they “have engaged law enforcement to look into the matter,” and were taking strides toward “reviewing and strengthening” their cyber-security measures.
And of course, with the hacking, came the internet jokes (and trolls).
Took Jesus 3 day’s to come back from the dead. Only took Goodell 3 minutes
— PFTCommenter (@PFTCommenter) June 7, 2016
NFL’s instant replay system really is amazing. Huge overturn on the Goodell play, as instead of being dead, he’s alive.
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) June 7, 2016
New playbooks are in pic.twitter.com/RsZEq07VxQ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 7, 2016
“Based on the Twitter handle, the tweet and the blue check mark, I’m going to say that Roger Goodell is indeed dead” pic.twitter.com/99yTlCtAfN
— Clemzingis (@TheClemReport) June 7, 2016
If Goodell is legit dead then deflategate just ends…. Right…?
— Dana Ulwick (@dana_ulwick) June 7, 2016
