Always check your sources.
Blake Gamble, who is the co-host of the "Plank Show" on KREF, did a deep dive into Bryan Aguada, which is the X account that started the viral allegations that Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer gambled on sports and had Venmo transactions proving it. Whether the claims have any truth or not, Gamble has proven the original source certainly isn't reliable.
Reporter proves account behind viral John Mateer Venmo post is likely fake
The bio of the Bryan Aguada account claims they are an insider for Deadspin and senior journalist for Valley News Live, which is based in Fargo, North Dakota. Gamble first reported Tuesday morning that he spoke to someone who has worked at Valley News Live for two years and the source was not familiar with the name attached to the account.
After even more digging, Gamble found that the profile picture from the account matched a headshot of former Northeastern hockey player Zach Aston-Reese. Neither names have ever been employees at Valley News Live, according to Gamble.
The profile pic for @Bryan_Aguada is actually of '16-17 Northeastern hockey player Zach Aston-Reese.
— Blake Gamble (@Blakes_Takes) August 12, 2025
Just spoke w/ the Office Manager of @ValleyNewsLive who looked through their records. They have never employed either person.
Mateer is Innocent. Case Closed.#Sooners #CFB https://t.co/4tvrw0LXMM pic.twitter.com/swzMniiAA1
These allegations immediately seemed like a joke Monday night before they started picking up more steam. Most believed there was no way a student-athlete would title actual gambling transactions "Sports Gambling (UCLA vs. USC)" and "Sports gambling." Some, including On3's Andy Staples, have started believing there could be some truth to it, though. However, Gamble has at least debunked that the original source is not reliable at all.
“When I saw the screenshots on Monday night, my first thought was ‘This has got to be fake.’”
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) August 12, 2025
— Naive me, assuming something is simply too dumb to be true@GeorgeStoia broke down the latest on QB John Mateer, including Oklahoma’s potential response.https://t.co/asYWnSoVxp pic.twitter.com/ze1vp2BYHl
The only legitimate reports so far came first from SoonerScoop's George Stoia, then ESPN's Pete Thamel basically echoed what Stoia initially reported. On3, which owns SoonerScoop, posted Tuesday morning that Stoia reported "Oklahoma is aware of John Mateer's Venmo transactions and is handling it." The post also said, "Mateer made it clear to the school that he has never gambled."
NEW: Oklahoma is aware of John Mateer's Venmo transactions and is handling it, @GeorgeStoia reports.
— On3 (@On3sports) August 12, 2025
"Mateer made it clear to the school that he has never gambled."
Intel: https://t.co/VvfgHtlFwu pic.twitter.com/ch5RFwVerR
If anything does come from this, it didn't stem from a reliable source. Regardless, the accusations exploded and are serious enough that OU has to look into it, which could also include finding who started it all. It's looking more likely it could have just been a disgruntled Texas fan that went looking for dirt in fear of Mateer playing in the Red River Rivalry.
Read more about OU football