Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette loves the game of football, but back home in Mullins, South Carolina, a true country lifestyle is how he, his family and friends love to spend their time.
Whether it’s taking care of his horses, which NFL fans have come quite familiar with since the Panthers took him in the first round in 2024 out of South Carolina, fishing, or riding around town on what he calls a “trail ride,” Legette’s southern roots are shown in full force whenever he’s back home.
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Before the 2026 season, Legette was able to show some of his Panthers teammates what it’s like in his small South Carolina town that has less than 4,000 residents, including his quarterback, Bryce Young. Sports Illustrated was along for the ride, as Legette showcased a day in his life with the entire town alongside him for the trail ride.
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Xavier Legette of the Carolina Panthers reacts before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., on Dec. 8, 2024. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 22-16. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images)
It was an experience that had Legette quite grateful, not just for himself and allowing his teammates to experience the special side of his life off the field, but for the people in Mullins.
“To tell you the truth, man, that part of it was great — for them to be able to come and do those things. But I think the best thing really in my eyes about the whole situation was them boys being able to come in my community,” he told OutKick in a recent interview, while highlighting his partnership with Bojangles. “People in my community being able to see other people other than me, you know what I’m saying? Because they always see me.”
PANTHERS’ BRYCE YOUNG, XAVIER LEGETTE SPEND OFFSEASON WEEKEND RIDING HORSES AND RIPPING ATVS
Legette, with his southern accent and unique hobbies, has become a fan-favorite in the Panthers community, as well as the NFL in general. Viral moments, from his first news conference after being drafted to telling folks he didn’t mind trying asparagus for the first time, made him someone football fans couldn’t get enough of.
Legette is nothing but positive and genuine, two of the many characteristics he had growing up surrounded by the people he loved most in his small town. Now that he’s at this stage of professional life, all he wishes to do is give back and grow the place he still, and will always, call home.
Having Panthers teammates there to see that meant the world to him.
“I grew up there and I’m one of the first ones to be able to be in this position that I am being from Marion County.” he added. “So just being able for them to see other faces, they was excited.
“Everyone know everybody, but my family, it stands out to me, you know what I’m saying? They’re the ones that helped me able to [do this]. They shaped me into being who I am today. I got my love for them. It’s out of this world and being able to just go through the growing pains with them, ups and downs, and then it’s nothing but smiles on their face. That’s what I love to see.”
Oh, and one of those viral moments mentioned before includes his admittance to eating raccoon, squirrel and other animals that he and his family find on hunts. When his teammates were in town, they had to try the local cuisine.
“Oh yeah, we had the raccoon out there. A couple of them tried it,” Legette said, noting that Young left early before it was ready. Fellow receiver David Moore was among those who tried the raccoon.
Xavier Legette and Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers warm up before a preseason game against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Aug. 17, 2024. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images)
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COUNTRY MEETS SPOOKY
Legette’s southern lifestyle is one that came to life for a one-of-a-kind content series by Pepsi and Bojangles, and it stars one of his prized horses, affectionately known as Dime Piece, as Halloween and football come together.
Legette had a smile ear-to-ear as he discussed the Bojangles Bite Box which, starting Oct. 1, will come with limited-edition haunted house packaging.
“I think it’s a great collab. It’s one of the biggest ones I’ve ever did, and man, I hope we can come up with something else for the future.
“They understand my love for the horses and they wanted to bring that to life with this commercial. It’s great.”
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette with his horse, Dime Piece, pose in front of Bojangles. (Pepsi/Bojangles)
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While Legette will be heading to Bojangles whenever he can to get his Bite Box, he’s also excited for another Halloween, where he might just have to be his favorite superhero yet again.
“All I wanted to be was Spider-Man every year,” he said, laughing.