TV Reporter Who Went Viral for On-Camera Stiff-Arm Says She Received Threats

CBS Miami reporter Samantha Rivera entered Game 2 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final on June 5 as just that—a reporter.

Unfortunately, she left it as a national story. As Rivera shot a postgame hit after the Panthers‘ 7–2 loss, an unruly Golden Knights fan seemingly attempted to interrupt her take on camera. Rivera responded by throwing the fan off with a perfectly executed stiff-arm that won her viral fame.

Rivera was widely praised for her actions and professionalism. However, she tweeted Monday afternoon that her notoriety had come with a darker side.

"I’ve been getting an influx of hate messages/comments these past couple days and to those people, I’d like to ask if maybe now is a good time for you to move out of your mom’s basement??" she wrote. "Stay blessed."

I’ve been getting an influx of hate messages/comments these past couple days and to those people, I’d like to ask if maybe now is a good time for you to move out of your mom’s basement?? Stay blessed🥴 pic.twitter.com/3vR4gOV4b0
— Samantha Rivera (@JSamanthaRivera) June 12, 2023

Per W.G. Ramirez, a fellow reporter who said he talked with Rivera on Monday, the messages have included "death threats," which he characterized as "straight criminal."

Just spent 15 minutes catching up with @JSamanthaRivera and to hear that she has been receiving death threats is straight criminal.

Take what you want out of context, but to theaten someone's life over a tweet that came immediately after an emotional situation is ridiculous. https://t.co/5yA5GZR4fk
— WillieGRamireZ (@WillieGRamirez) June 12, 2023

Rivera, undeterred, has continued to report on the Final. The DePaul alum tweeted out a hit from T-Mobile Arena Tuesday afternoon ahead of Vegas’s first attempt to close out the series.

ICYMI: why the #Panthers still have hope for game 5 tonight👇🏼 #TimeToHunt #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/yj2YmPfzfL
— Samantha Rivera (@JSamanthaRivera) June 13, 2023