“Ya’ll may need to subtitle this, because this the two most country people that’s ever been on ESPN,” said Marty Smith as NFL wide receiver Xavier Legette joined him on Sports Center. Yet, the footballer didn’t appear on the show to discuss his sport, but the Kentucky Derby. So why did he come, you ask? Well, because the duo had a conversation about Legette’s favorite thing after football, horses.

Yes! The 24-year-old Carolina Panthers’ star loves horses. In fact, the 24-year-old loves riding so much that the NFL star has 14 horses as his residence in Mullins, South Carolina. And it’s the footballer’s love for horses and the Derby that helped him land a side gig at the biggest Derby of them all. Although we see NFL stars being interested in other sports, take Tyreek Hill‘s rivalry with Noah Lyles for instance, yet rarely do we see NFL stars cross over to horse racing. But Legette has changed that with a special message for the fans.

“What’s going on all ya’ll? I’m out here with them horses. Imma be the NFL social correspondent this week at the Kentucky Derby,” Xavier Legette said in a video on the NFL’s official X handle. “Xavier Legette is heading to the Kentucky Derby! Follow his adventures all week long on NFL social,” they added, promising more horse racing coverage on the NFL’s handle.

While this in itself is great news for fans who love football and horse racing, Legette didn’t just stop with a bland announcement. No. The Panthers’ star made things more exciting by showing off the “mean thoroughbreds” from his tables. Xavier Legette also included the horse’s rider and trainer (presumably) in the video. So, you may be wondering how the NFL star grew to love horses.

Well, that’s the same question Marty Smith thought of asking the horse racing fan. And the answer was simple. It’s because the 24-year-old grew up with horses in Mullins, South Carolina. The former University of South Carolina wide receiver credited his father and uncle for bringing him horses for his birthday. “My uncle, every year for my birthday, he’d bring them to me,” added the footballer. Yet, if you think Legette’s love for horses ends with recreational riding and Kentucky Derby guest appearances, you’d be wrong.

Xavier Legette’s Kentucky Derby dreams

While it’s one thing to love horses, it’s another to have 14 of them as well as connections. And that’s because while the wide receiver is busy building his football legacy for now, the 24-year-old later plans to pursue his derby dreams. The NFL star revealed his intentions while appearing on Up & Adams, with Kay Adams, when the reporter enquired about his “goal.”

“I see it as kind of a big investment,” explained Legette before making the big revelation. “One day I want to get into the Derby,” explained the racer. The NFL star didn’t name the Kentucky Derby exclusively. Then again, does the wide receiver really need to? After all, it’s every rider, owner, and trainer’s dream to win the biggest Derby of them all.

Although Xavier Legette’s pro-horse racing days remain a dream for now, the Carolina Panthers star seemed invested in this year’s field. The 2025 Kentucky Derby promises to be a special one, with legendary trainer Bob Baffert making his return after three years. However, Legette is not picking the 72-year-old to win a record-setting 7th Kentucky Derby title.

The footballer is “always trying to go for the underdog,” and picked Chunk of Gold to win it all despite the 30-1 odds. Will it happen? Well, that remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Legette isn’t the only Panthers star to have Derby dreams. In an uncanny similarity, former QB Jake Delhomme has successfully raised and raced Touchuponastar out of the Set-Hut Stable in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, as per CBS Sports. What more? Delhomme even shared the No. 17 Panthers jersey with Legette.