James Cook’s Social Media Slip-Up with Ava Johnson: A Quiet Cleanup Days Later

Buffalo, NY – March 16, 2025

Buffalo Bills star running back James Cook found himself in hot water this week after liking several Instagram photos of 16-year-old volleyball sensation Ava Johnson, a rising star from a California club team. The move sparked a firestorm online, but it wasn’t until a few days later that Cook silently backtracked, leaving Bills Mafia scratching their heads.

Cook, 25, fresh off a Pro Bowl season with 16 rushing touchdowns, hit the “like” button on multiple posts featuring Johnson, a 5’11 outside hitter born in 2009, known for her standout play in the Sunshine Volleyball Club. The likes didn’t go unnoticed—volleyball fans flooded the comments, blasting the NFL star with remarks like, “Bro, she’s only 16—what’s wrong with you?!” and “Stick to football, dude!”

The backlash was swift and fierce, with some X users calling Cook out for the age gap and others questioning his judgment. Initially, the third-year running back stayed silent, letting the controversy simmer. But a few days later, the evidence vanished—Cook quietly removed all his likes from Johnson’s photos, a subtle retreat that spoke louder than any statement.

This isn’t Cook’s first brush with social media drama. Just last month, he scrubbed Bills-related content from his Instagram amid contract extension talks, hinting at tensions with the team. Now, this misstep with Johnson adds another layer to his off-field narrative, raising eyebrows among fans who adore his on-field explosiveness but cringe at his online antics.

Ava Johnson, meanwhile, has kept her focus on the court. The 16-year-old phenom, praised for her powerful spikes and poised demeanor, hasn’t commented on the incident. Her followers, however, weren’t shy about defending her, with one X post reading, “Leave Ava alone—she’s a kid chasing her dreams!”

For Cook, the episode is a speed bump in an otherwise stellar year. With 1,009 rushing yards and a league-leading 16 TDs in 2024, he’s angling for a $15 million-a-year extension. But as Bills GM Brandon Beane navigates those talks, this latest saga might give him pause—does Cook’s social media savvy match his gridiron grit?

Bills Mafia split on the drama. “James is a beast on the field—let him live!” one fan tweeted, while another quipped, “Bro needs to unlike the controversy and like a new contract instead.” For now, Cook’s cleanup move days later suggests he’s ready to let this one fade—until the next post stirs the pot.