Former Jets defensive end Matt Finkes apologised for posting about a fake report alleging that former Wisconsin Badgers football coach and athletic director Barry Alvarez died on Monday.
Finkes, a sixth-round choice from Ohio State in the 1997 NFL Draft, wrote and then erased a comment that read, “RIP Barry,” with a photo of Alvarez.
“Football lost a legend today,” Finkes commented, according to screenshots. “Barry was a stalwart of the sport and a lovely person. Never forget him coaching me in the East West Shrine game, returning to the hotel, and seeing him and my father at the bar, drinking scotch and sharing stories till the early hours. “RIP, Barry @badgerfootball.”
After the tweet fueled rumours of Alvarez’s death, his daughter Dawn Thomas, as well as Jim Polzin and Colten Bartholomew from The Wisconsin State Journal, confirmed that the former coach is still alive.
“Apologise for the earlier tweet about @BadgerFootball Barry Alvarez,” Finkes wrote in a tweet. “This morning, a credible source posted something. I did not do any further research. Happy that Barry is still rocking!!”
Some fans were upset as the rumour mill sparked a social media frenzy.
“A lot of Ohio State fans with blue checkmarks still spreading the rumour that Barry Alvarez passed away even after confirmation that he is alive and well,” a member of the public said on X. “Don’t know which of those two facts is the least surprising…”
Finkes played with the Buckeyes from 1993 to 1996 and for the Jets in 1997.
Alvarez retired in 2021 after 32 years of service at the University of Wisconsin, where he was head football coach for 16 seasons (1990-2005) and director of athletics from 2004 to 21.
In 2004 and 2005, he successfully managed both duties.
Alvarez guided the Badgers to three Big Ten championships and three Rose Bowl victories. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2009, the College Football Hall of Fame and UW Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, and the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame in 2016.
