See above a screenshot detail from the site hosting a fake news story. (Credit: Global Associated News, screenshot)

A fake story claiming “Ben Roethlisberger has broken both of his legs in a traffic altercation,” circulated this week, Deadspin reported.  Roesthlisberger is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback.

The website hosting the fake report, Global Associated News, notes

“about this web site. FAKE… THIS STORY IS 100% FAKE! this is an entertainment website, and this is a totally fake article based on zero truth and is a complete work of fiction for entertainment purposes! this story was dynamically generated using a generic ‘template’ and is not factual. Any reference to specific individuals has been 100% fabricated by web site visitors who have created fake stories by entering a name into a blank ‘non-specific’ template for the purpose of entertainment.”

Deadspin reported that an ESPN New York reporter Johnette Howard and Golf World executive editor Ron Sirak tweeted about the fake report. ESPN’s Howard tweeted “Breaking new out of Pittsburgh that Steelers QB Ben #Roethlisberger may have broken both legs in car accident” with a link to the fake story and Ron Sirak wrote “Spokesperson for Pennsylvania highway safety authority says @steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has broken both legs in a traffic altercation” and later tweeting a link.

Both later tweeted that the report was a hoax.

Sports Grid noted that Global Associated News previously hoaxed the media with a fake story last year claiming professional golfer Tiger Woods died.  According to Gossip Cop, Global Associated News has started many fake death stories, including Adam Sandler, Channing Tatum, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Robert Pattinson, Usher, Vanilla Ice and more.