Molly Qerim apologizes after ESPN tricked by social media troll into humiliating error live on TV

First Take host Molly Qerim had to apologize after producers were tricked into broadcasting what they thought was new footage from the Dallas Cowboys training camp.

Footage had gone viral on X from one user who claimed to record Dak Prescott throwing a 50-yard gem to his new wide receiver George Pickens on the first day of practice.

However, all was not as it seemed.

The clip was actually two years old and showed Prescott finding Brandin Cooks instead of Pickens, who didn't even play for the Cowboys then.

It meant Qerim had to apologize for the mistake shortly after it had gone out over the airwaves.

'Earlier, we showed video that we identified as George Pickens at Cowboys training camp — it was not George. So, we apologize on that mistake,' she said.

The fan who posted the footage, claiming it was new, was thrilled that he had managed to pull a prank on ESPN.

'First play of Cowboys Training Camp is a Dak Prescott BOMB to George Pickens,' @FergSZN had posted.

He then reshared the clip of Qerim's apology to viewers and wrote: 'THEY JUST APOLOGIZED FOR SHOWING MY TWEET LMAO.'

In a later post, he added: 'It’s actually mind blowing how many people fell for this.'

So far, Cowboys camp has descended onto the brink of civil war as Micah Parsons pushes owner Jerry Jones for a new contract.

Jones publicly criticized one of his star men on Monday, telling reporters: 'Just because we sign him doesn’t mean we’re gonna have him. He was hurt six games last year.

'I remember signing a player for the highest paid at the position in the league and he got knocked out two-thirds of the year, Dak Prescott, so there's a lot of things you can think about, just as the player does when you're thinking about committing and guaranteeing money.'

Prescott was sidelined last season with a hamstring issue sustained in Week 9 that needed surgery. The quarterback signed a four-year, $240million extension on the first day of the 2024 season.

Parsons took a shot at Jones on Tuesday, saying: 'If they don't want me here, they don't want me here.

'I go about my business. I understand the nature of the business. Like I said, as long as I'm here and under contract, I'm going to do what I have to do to perform at the highest level. 

'But if this is the end, this is the end, you know? The same way that Jones, Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones and the other Jerry Jones take care of their family, that's the same way I need to take care of my own family.'

The Cowboys play in the season opener on September 4 on the road against Super Bowl winners Philadelphia Eagles.