Fans Slam Jayden’s Mom for Stepping Between the Star Athletes, Igniting a Firestorm Online

Los Angeles, CA – Social media is ablaze with speculation and drama after college basketball sensation JuJu Watkins and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels were spotted together courtside at a recent NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament game. The sighting, which followed USC’s commanding 71-25 victory over UNC Greensboro on Saturday, has sparked widespread rumors of a budding romance between the two rising sports stars—only to be overshadowed by a wave of backlash aimed at Daniels’ mother, Regina Jackson, for physically inserting herself between them.

The buzz began when ESPN cameras captured Watkins, the 19-year-old USC Trojans standout, and Daniels, the 24-year-old NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, chatting and smiling in the stands at Galen Center. Both Southern California natives and Nike athletes, the pair’s easy chemistry and shared laughter quickly set X and other platforms alight with fans shipping the duo as a potential power couple. “They’d be unstoppable together—on and off the court,” one X user posted, echoing a sentiment shared by many who see the two as a natural match given their athletic prowess and regional ties.

Watkins, fresh off a 22-point, eight-rebound performance, and Daniels, enjoying his offseason after leading the Commanders to an NFC Championship run, appeared to be soaking in the March Madness excitement. However, the mood shifted when cameras later showed Regina Jackson seated squarely between her son and Watkins, a move that social media interpreted as a deliberate attempt to quash any sparks flying between the two.

The reaction online was swift and scathing. “Jayden’s mom sitting between him and JuJu like she’s the relationship police—let the man live!” one user fumed on X. Another wrote, “JuJu Watkins is a star in her own right, not some groupie. Regina needs to chill.” Critics pointed to Jackson’s history of protective behavior, with some recalling her January comments on Prime Video’s "The Money Game," where she warned of “girls” trying to “hook” her son and vowed to keep his focus on football. “She’s acting like JuJu’s after his paycheck when JuJu’s got her own Nike deal and a million-dollar NIL valuation,” one post read, highlighting Watkins’ own success and independence.

The incident has fueled a broader debate about parental involvement in the lives of grown athletes. “These parents are too much—Jayden’s 24, not 14. Let him talk to who he wants,” one fan argued, while another quipped, “Regina saw JuJu and said ‘not on my watch.’ Embarrassing.” Some even speculated humorously about the implications, with a user joking, “No wonder Jayden’s still single—Mom’s the ultimate linebacker.”

Despite the uproar, neither Watkins nor Daniels has commented publicly on the rumors or the controversy. Watkins, unfazed on the court, is preparing for USC’s next tournament matchup against Mississippi State, while Daniels continues to enjoy his offseason, having previously attended other Trojans games to support women’s basketball. Whether their courtside moment was a friendly catch-up or something more remains unclear, but one thing is certain: social media isn’t letting Regina Jackson’s intervention slide anytime soon.