Auburn QB Payton Thorne Reveals Fans Have Been Sending Him Venmo Requests to Reclaim Lost Bets: “They Want Their Money Back”
In one of the more bizarre and revealing moments of the college football offseason, Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne recently shared that he’s been receiving Venmo requests from frustrated fans—some of whom have actually demanded that he pay them back for bets they lost during the Tigers’ 2023 season.
Yes, you read that right. Fans, upset over game outcomes, have allegedly found Thorne’s Venmo account and sent him payment requests as if he were personally responsible for their gambling losses. The revelation came during a light-hearted podcast appearance but quickly went viral, shedding light on the strange, and at times, toxic intersection of college football, fandom, and sports betting in the modern era.
“It’s actually crazy,” Thorne said with a laugh. “I’ve had people literally Venmo request me, saying I owe them money for losing a bet. Like, bro—what are we doing?”
Though Thorne addressed the situation with humor and grace, the story highlights a growing and serious issue surrounding the impact of legalized sports betting on college athletes and the unrealistic expectations placed on them by fans who often treat student-athletes more like professionals—or worse, personal investments—than people.
Thorne’s First Season at Auburn: A Roller Coaster
Payton Thorne transferred to Auburn from Michigan State ahead of the 2023 season, expected to bring stability and leadership to an offense in transition under first-year head coach Hugh Freeze. The results were mixed. While Thorne showed flashes of promise—particularly in wins over Mississippi State and Arkansas—the Tigers finished the season at 6–7, including a painful last-second loss to Alabama in the Iron Bowl and a bowl defeat to Maryland.
Throughout the season, Auburn’s inconsistent offensive line play, frequent receiver drops, and an overall lack of continuity on offense made it difficult for Thorne to find his rhythm. Still, he remained poised and committed, even as criticism poured in from some corners of the fan base.
But while criticism is part of the job, Venmo payment requests from angry bettors take things to a new level.
Betting Culture and the New Pressures on College Athletes
In recent years, the explosion of legalized sports betting across the United States has dramatically changed how fans engage with college football. While it’s not unusual for fans to place wagers on their favorite teams, the proximity between athletes and the public via social media and digital payment platforms like Venmo has created an uncomfortable closeness—one that sometimes blurs boundaries.
Thorne’s experience is just the latest example of college athletes being directly targeted by gamblers upset about the outcomes of games. Earlier this year, several college basketball players also reported receiving threatening messages, with some even receiving calls or DMs referencing point spreads or missed shots.
In an era when athletes are finally earning compensation through NIL deals, some fans feel emboldened to express anger in increasingly invasive ways—as if the transactional nature of betting or endorsements gives them ownership over a player’s performance. But as Thorne rightly pointed out, athletes are not responsible for fans’ personal betting decisions.
“I didn’t tell you to bet on us. That’s your choice,” Thorne said. “I’m out here trying to win games—not cover spreads.”
Auburn Fans React: Some Laugh, Some Cringe
After Thorne’s comments began circulating on social media, the Auburn community responded with a mixture of humor and discomfort. Many fans were quick to call out the absurdity of the situation.
“Imagine being so down bad you Venmo request a college kid because your parlay didn’t hit,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“I’m embarrassed for whoever did that. That’s not what Auburn is about,” added another.
Others pointed to the story as a cautionary tale about how fan behavior is changing, particularly among younger audiences more immersed in sports gambling culture. While betting can enhance engagement with the sport, the line between fandom and harassment is easily crossed—and often without people realizing it.
Coach Hugh Freeze Weighs In
Head coach Hugh Freeze, known for his strong emphasis on character and player development, addressed the situation briefly during a recent media availability.
“Payton’s a great kid. He’s handled a lot of pressure, some fair, some not,” Freeze said. “But what’s not okay is anyone thinking it’s fine to go after a player over bets or money. That’s completely out of bounds.”
Freeze went on to praise Thorne’s leadership in the locker room and said he expects him to come back stronger in the 2024 season, competing hard for the starting job.
Moving Forward: Boundaries, Respect, and the Role of Education
As NIL opportunities grow and the gambling landscape continues to evolve, stories like Thorne’s are unlikely to disappear. Universities, athletic departments, and the NCAA will need to prioritize educating both athletes and fans on appropriate boundaries. For players, that means understanding their digital footprint; for fans, it means remembering that college athletes are not professionals—and certainly not gambling insurance policies.
Payton Thorne’s Venmo saga may have made for an amusing offseason headline, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the pressure that today’s athletes face, not just from opponents or coaches—but sometimes, from their own fans.
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