By Sunday 
If you’re a Detroit Lions fan who scrolled through social media last week, you might have done a double-take at the headline claiming rookie guard Tate Ratledge asked for Thanksgiving off to enjoy his mom’s famous pecan pie. Spoiler alert: he did not.
Yes, The Onion struck again, and yes, a surprising number of fans fell for it. Tate, a 24-year-old rookie who’s been grinding through games all season, confirmed he’ll be on the field for the Lions’ Thanksgiving matchup. But somehow, the tale of family feasts, cousins, and pie became a viral “news story” in the eyes of the internet.
“I’ve already had to cancel a lot of weekend plans because of games this season, so I’m hoping I don’t have to back out on this, too. Plus, my mom said she’s making pecan pie just for me—it’s my favorite,”
— The Onion’s entirely fabricated quote.
Believe it or not, fans called local sports radio shows to complain about Tate supposedly requesting the day off. One team employee even shared that Tate had been sent the article “by so many people.” Ouch.
This little mix-up is a perfect reminder that satire exists for a reason, and sometimes, the internet just doesn’t get it. Between AI-generated content, troll accounts, and classic parody sites, it’s never been easier to be tricked—but maybe it’s also never been funnier.
So this Thanksgiving, while most of us debate turkey vs. ham, spare a thought for Tate Ratledge: sacrificing family pie for the Lions’ game, all while the internet insists he demanded a holiday off. And yes, he’ll probably still snag a slice after the final whistle.