A 4-year-old Southern California girl, Reese Donatelli, is at the center of an unexpected social media storm after her playful NFL game predictions went viral.
The daughter of local radio personality Anthony Donatelli gained fame through the recurring segment “Trust the Toddler,” where she picks winners by grabbing miniature team helmets.
What started as a father-daughter bonding exercise meant to teach colors and geography has exploded into a nationwide conversation about online fame, criticism and the risks of viral content involving children.
Reese’s selections, often inspired by the color of her dress, favorite mascots or even her personal whims, have long charmed viewers.
Clips of her cheering for teams or tossing helmets across the room have racked up millions of views, making her a lighthearted sensation for sports fans online.
The recent NFL Wild Card round, however, brought unintended consequences.
Several of Reese’s picks missed the mark—including the Pittsburgh Steelers—and clips of her “wrong” predictions circulated widely.
What was intended as harmless entertainment suddenly became a lightning rod for anger, with some viewers treating her choices as betting advice and directing threats at the young girl and her family.
Anthony Donatelli stressed that Reese has no connection to sports gambling.
“She’s obviously not an NFL analyst,” he explained to the Los Angeles Times. “She’s picking teams based on the color of her dress, or she’ll pick the Packers because she likes cheese. She just relates these silly little things as reasons why she picks certain teams.”
The controversy reached a celebrity level when rapper Cardi B commented on Reese during an Instagram Live session following the Patriots-Texans matchup.
Cardi B initially expressed frustration with profanity, according to MARCA.
“Little white girl said we’re going to win. F**k that, b***h,” she said, before quickly apologizing.
Reese’s pick for that game ultimately proved correct, but the incident highlighted just how fast lighthearted content can escalate into intense scrutiny online.
In response, the Donatellis have limited Reese’s social media exposure while maintaining the spirit of their NFL tradition.
“I’m not here to fight fire with fire,” Anthony said. “We don’t want anybody or anything to ruin what Reese and I have created.” The focus remains on fun, education, and father-daughter bonding.
Social media commentators say that Reese’s experience is a cautionary tale about children in viral content.
Innocent posts can attract extreme reactions from audiences who miss the context, demonstrating the emotional risks social media can pose to minors.
Despite the backlash, Reese and her father plan to continue their weekly NFL ritual.
Her choices are playful, educational, and entirely for entertainment — not professional analysis or gambling guidance. Anthony hopes fans will remember that the series is about family fun and shared joy, not stakes or scrutiny.
The “Trust the Toddler” phenomenon underscores the fine line between viral fame and public exposure.
Even the most innocent content can become a lightning rod online, yet for the Donatellis, the mission is clear: protect Reese while celebrating the unique father-daughter bond that started it all.
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