The NFL’s annual Mr. Irrelevant pick usually comes with some lighthearted celebration. This year, though, the New England Patriots found themselves in hot water after their social media team’s attempt at humor fell flat with many fans.
With the 257th and final pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Memphis defensive back Kobee Minor. What should have been a simple, feel-good moment turned into an online controversy within minutes.
Right after the selection, the Patriots’ official X account posted, “A Minorrrrrrrr,” referencing Kendrick Lamar’s viral jab at Drake during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. It might have seemed clever in the moment, but not everyone found it amusing.
The post quickly stirred backlash for what many saw as a tone-deaf attempt to tap into hip-hop culture without understanding it. The team quietly deleted the post soon after, but not before screenshots made it impossible to erase from public memory.
Social Media Misstep Sparks Conversation
The controversy did not center on the wording alone. Instead, many fans took issue with what they saw as a deeper problem- a lack of cultural awareness from whoever crafted the post. Reactions poured in, and they were not subtle.
“Clearly a White social media team tryna use Hip-Hop and failing,” one user commented.
Another added, “I get the angle they were trying to take, but… K Minor would’ve worked. This is why you hire black people.”
A third user wrote, “This is what happens when you want to use black culture with no black people on staff.”
While another pointed out, “The Kobe bar was literally right there as a layup.”
While the New England Patriots have not issued an official statement, the deleted post speaks volumes. Nobody is expecting heads to roll over a harmless mistake, but the incident likely earned someone in the building a sharp reminder about knowing your audience before trying to ride a cultural wave.
Meanwhile, Kobee Minor’s story remains the heart of it all. The young defensive back now gets his shot at an NFL career, Mr. Irrelevant title and all. Regardless of the social media fumble, Minor’s journey is just getting started, and that moment at the NFL Draft is still a dream come true.
