Key Highlights
- Braxton Berrios faced backlash for a post made after his split from Alix Earle.
- Berrios attempted to defend himself by explaining he was not able to travel with Earle during in-season games.
- Fans accused him of making a “shady” joke about their breakup, leading to heated online reactions.
- Earle and Berrios called it quits after two years of dating due to growing apart as a couple.
The Backlash Against Braxton Berrios
On Thursday, NFL star Braxton Berrios found himself on the receiving end of an intense social media storm. The situation arose following his first Instagram post since news broke about his split from influencer Alix Earle. Berrios’s attempt to share a light-hearted moment backfired spectacularly, with fans taking issue with what they perceived as a “shady” joke about their relationship struggles.
Berrios’s First Post Since the Split
In his caption, Berrios wrote, “What did I miss?” alongside several images of him walking alone and with his Houston Texans teammates. The post seemed innocuous enough, but it quickly ignited a firestorm on social media.
Online Reaction and Accusations
“Every single performance of Alix’s,” one fan commented, referring to Earle’s time on the ABC dance competition series “Dancing with the Stars.” The influencer finished second behind Robert Irwin in the season. Berrios attempted to defend himself by responding, “Sadly I wasn’t able to travel like that in-season.” However, this didn’t quell the backlash.
Another user added, “I fear this is giving ‘I’m single’ thirst trap.” A third commented, “Where is your PR team with this caption?” The tweets and comments highlighted a deep divide between Berrios and his fans, with many accusing him of mocking their shared pain over the breakup.
Clarification from Berrios
Berrios tried to clear up any confusion by explaining that his post was not intended to be interpreted as a shade or joke. He pinned an Instagram story that read, “People don’t get your caption referring to the Drake song.” The reference is to the rapper’s 2023 track “Iceman,” which shares a title with Berrios and Earle’s split.
Background on the Breakup
The split between Earle, 24, and Berrios, who is 30 and plays for the Houston Texans, was first reported last week. A source told Page Six that the breakup was “distance-induced.” Meanwhile, a source from Us Weekly revealed that the couple had been growing apart as a couple. Another insider shared that Earle “really wants to spend more time in LA,” while Berrios lives in Florida.
At the time of their split, Earle and Berrios had been dating for two years.
Fans speculated about potential relationship issues after he didn’t attend any of her “Dancing with the Stars” performances. However, Berrios insisted that his absence was due to “football obligations.”
Conclusion
The incident underscores the delicate balance between sharing personal moments and avoiding perceived insensitivity on social media. For Berrios, navigating this challenge in the public eye has proven difficult, leading to a significant backlash from fans who are still reeling from their own shared experience with Earle.
As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how Berrios will respond to the ongoing criticism and whether he can find a way back into his fans’ good graces. The saga continues as more details about the couple’s split emerge, further fueling discussions around celebrity relationships and social media dynamics.
