A former high school volleyball player, whose life was forever altered by a severe brain injury during a match, has issued a strong public response after a stand-up comedian used her trauma as material for a comedy routine.
The Incident and Its Lifelong Impact
In 2022, Payton McNabb was playing in a girls' volleyball match in North Carolina when a powerful spike hit her directly in the head. The incident was not just a momentary shock; it resulted in a catastrophic and permanent brain injury. McNabb has been living with the severe consequences ever since.
The injury led to a host of debilitating long-term health issues. McNabb suffers from impaired vision, partial paralysis on her right side, and significant balance problems. Beyond the physical toll, the trauma has also triggered ongoing mental health struggles, including anxiety and depression. These conditions continue to affect her ability to navigate daily life years after the initial event.
Comedy or Cruelty? The Controversial Routine
The painful chapter was reopened when transgender comedian Stacy Cay performed a live set that included a segment mocking McNabb's injury. Cay reportedly laughed at the video clip of the incident, calling it "pretty funny." The comedian went further, disparagingly stating that McNabb fell "like a toddler" and suggesting she should have worn a helmet and not been "out there with normal people."
Once the clip circulated on social media, it ignited immediate and widespread fury. Viewers and advocates alike condemned the bit as heartless, arguing that making light of a teenager's medical trauma crossed a clear line from comedy into cruelty.
McNabb's Powerful Response and Growing Backlash
Payton McNabb did not remain silent. In a statement provided to Fox News, she directly addressed the comedian's remarks. "A grown man mocking a teenage girl’s traumatic brain injury isn’t comedy, it’s cruelty," McNabb stated emphatically. She clarified that her experience is a serious warning, not a source of humor. "My story isn’t a punchline. It’s a warning," she added.
Her stance was bolstered by prominent women's sports advocate Riley Gaines, who also expressed shock that anyone would joke about a high school athlete being partially paralyzed during a game. This added significant momentum to the online backlash.
Facing the criticism, Stacy Cay responded with a statement but offered no apology. Instead, Cay framed the reaction as an attempt at cancellation, saying, "Looks like the woke left is trying to cancel another comedian."
The controversy has now sparked a broader discussion that extends beyond the bounds of a comedy routine. It raises critical questions about how society discusses serious injuries in women's sports and the ethical limits of using personal trauma for entertainment. For Payton McNabb, the mission is clear: to continue advocating for safety, respect, and fairness for all young women in athletics.
