Haley Cavinder has revealed she went through a “mental breakdown” due to the online abuse she was subjected to after she began dating Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson.

The former University of Miami star, who is set to return to college basketball after making a U-turn on her decision to quit, claims her appearance came under criticism when she hooked up with the pass catcher.

 

“I’m a confident girl, but when people are saying stuff about you — if you have a boyfriend and someone is talking about you online with your boyfriend, like, coming at your features. I’m like, ‘This is new and obviously Jake is a great guy, but you don’t want to be called ugly on the internet 24/7, and your boyfriend sees it,” she said on a Q&A session via the YouTube channel she runs with her sister, Hanna.

“So I had a mental breakdown, but that was a while ago. Honestly, I’m very confident and comfortable sharing my relationship because Jake was very loud about it.”

Ferguson had a breakout campaign with the Cowboys in 2023, though they fell short in the first round of the playoffs. Haley and Hanna got plenty of attention for showing up at games to support him.

Haley is poised to play her final season with TCU after opting to return to basketball. And, despite all the hate, she insists they will continue to be public.

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“It made me feel very comfortable and confident sharing him as well,” she added. “He’s a big part of my life and will continue (to be).

“So it’s not something that I (will) keep private. I go to Cowboys games and he’ll be at my games.”