Outlet falls for fake Sydney Sweeney-Jimmy Horn Jr. dating rumors

Long before social media ever came to be, it was hard to tell whether or not dating rumors are true. The waters were muddied with the advent of social media sites like Twitter/X, and in the last few years, AI has made it nearly impossible.

But sometimes, using context clues can help realize when something is a joke or not. Sports fans on X have been seeing the "Sydney Sweeney and ___ have been 'quietly hanging out' this summer" template involving a player in droves.

Sweeney is 2024's "It" girl but is happily engaged.

Rumor killer: Sydney Sweeney is NOT dating Jimmy Horn Jr.

Marca clearly hasn't been seeing these jokes. That's why they made a story out of a joke tweet involving Sweeney and Colorado Buffaloes WR Jimmy Horn Jr.

"Recent rumors have linked Sweeney with a shocking new beau," the outlet prefaced before saying, "According to speculation and what can be gleaned from insiders, the 26-year-old might be involved with a player from the University of Colorado's football program -- but which of coach Deion Sanders' stars is she allegedly seeing?

"According to the X/Twitter account SkoBuffs Nation, Sweeney and Colorado receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. have been "quietly hanging out" amid the Buffs' preparations for the 2024 NCAA football season. It is worth noting that this news has yet to be corroborated elsewhere, and that Sweeney is engaged -- but if it's verified, it would be a romance to rival that of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift in the NFL."

The next Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift? To get a publication to print that is elite trolling. Bravo SkoBuffsNation.

Next time you see that Sweeney is "quietly hanging out" with someone, just remember that you've seen that phrasing before. Don't be fooled into believing it's true. Especially if you are a national tabloid.