Carolina Panthers star receiver Tetairoa McMillan was named the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year just hours after apologizing for using a racial slur during an e-sports event on Wednesday night. McMillan won the award over New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Emeka Egbuka.McMillan, nicknamed “Tet,” found himself in some controversy on Wednesday night, though, as he was heard shouting, “n——, n——, pick” following an interception while playing in the Streamer Bowl VII, a charity esports tournament prior to the Super Bowl.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMMcMillan posted an apology on his Instagram Stories on Thursday.”Yesterday while on live stream, I used a term I should not have,” he wrote in a statement. “There’s no excuse for what I said — I sincerely apologize for speaking thoughtlessly and will do better.”The Panthers also directed ESPN toward McMillan’s statement when asked for comment.PANTHERS STARS BRYCE YOUNG, RICO DOWDLE SHARE OPTIMISM AFTER MAKING PLAYOFFS: ‘A STARTING POINT IN CAROLINA’McMillan is up for Offensive Rookie of the Year at the NFL Honors on Thursday night in San Francisco after a fantastic start to his NFL career.McMillan, taken eighth overall by the Panthers in last year’s NFL Draft, put together a rookie campaign with 70 receptions (122 targets) for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.The Panthers needed a playmaker to take that next step in 2025, and McMillan was a large part of the team’s success…
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