Serena Williams has confused fans on social media after bizarrely joking that an Alabama football player who shares her surname is her cousin.
Ryan Williams, a 17-year-old wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide, went viral at the weekend after scoring a sensational 75-yard touchdown in their victory over the Georgia Bulldogs, which former President Donald Trump attended.
And after ESPN’s Sports Center posted a clip of the dramatic touchdown on X, Serena misled several of her 10.3 million followers by suggesting that Ryan is her cousin, despite not being related to the college star.
The tennis icon shared the video and wrote: ‘Honestly this is pretty impressive from my 17year old cousin ha go Cuz!’
A number of fans were left baffled at Serena’s apparent revelation after not catching on to the joke.
Serena Williams sparked confusion by joking that Alabama’s Ryan Williams (right) is her cousin
One user replied: ‘Wait what?!?’
‘THAT’S YOUR COUSIN?!?!?! So your whole bloodline are exceptional athletes,’ said another.
A more suspicious fan put: ‘Ain’t heard her endorse this man or say a peep ever before this.’
While another asked: ‘cousin cousin or Cousin Cousin.’
Others, meanwhile, were quick to point out that Serena was just playing around.
‘Ha, everyone knows y’all not related,’ one user posted. ‘But ok funny.’
While another commented: ‘Lord help us all with how many think she is being serious here.’
Williams, who lined up with a startling message written across his eye black, enjoyed a breakout game for Alabama with Presidential candidate Trump watching on from the stands.
Serena joked about being related to the wide receiver after his touchdown against Georgia
Williams enjoyed a breakout performance for the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday night
He has caught 16 balls for 462 yards and five touchdowns so far this season, with his late touchdown against Georgia coming on an electrifying play during which he twisted in mid-air to make a catch on an under thrown ball, split two defenders with a spin move and then won a footrace to the end zone.
The youngster is still supposed to be at high school, but is now in his rookie college year after being reclassified to enroll at Alabama a year early.
An average of 12 million viewers tuned in to watch Williams’ dramatic touchdown on ABC and ESPN’s streaming platforms, according to Nielsen.
Alabama-Georgia was the most-watched regular season prime-time game since 2017, when Alabama-Florida State on the season’s opening weekend averaged 12.3 million. It was also ESPN’s most-streamed regular-season game.
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