Sometimes, it’s scary how real that AI can seem.
That is the case with a hilarious video of Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe ripping his team in a news conference after the team’s Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins.
While many on social media share the same opinions that were shared by “Keefe” in the video, it is in fact a deepfake generated by AI, much to the amusement of many.
**WARNING: INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE**
“No wonder this franchise hasn’t won a Cup since 1967. My players f***ed me,” the AI version of Keefe begins.
“Mitch Marner cries on my bench and Willie Nylander won’t play because he’s got a headache. Auston Matthews leads the league in scoring but takes Game 6 off.”
The video then puts the perfect cap on things, with the coach quitting to re-join forces with a familiar name to Leafs Nation.
“Shanahan, I f***ing quit. I’m going to Pittsburgh to coach for Daddy (Kyle) Dubas,” Keefe concludes.
“It might be fake but it’s the truth! Haha,” one user commented.
“AI is getting crazy good lol but the Truth hurts,” another wrote.
However, there were many that bought in to the parody video.
“He’s just saying what he’s actually thinking,” one user posted.
Another thought Keefe was just being messy: “Wow !!! How about keeping it in the locker room. I wouldn’t hire you.”
One commenter on Instagram took it a step further, referencing Marner’s comments on Monday about how Leafs players are viewed in the 6ix.
“Is this guy the creator of the multiverse!? Cause he looks down on GODS,” they said of Keefe.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, in a video of Marner expressing his desire to re-sign with the team, many fans took exception to the winger saying: “We’re looked up as kinda gods, to be honest.”
“God don’t lose in the first round of the playoffs buddy. Welcome to your wake-up call,” one user wrote.
Another brought up past Leafs who actually had some post-season success: “Wendall GOD. Dougie GOD. Felix the cat Potvin GOD. Not this group”
“You ain’t a god bro. And you ain’t the 2019 Raps,” wrote one user, invoking Toronto’s most recent professional championship team.
One user pointed out that comments like are why the Leafs receive so much scorn: “This is why Leafs get so much hate. The entitlement is something else. Karma will continue to humble them.”
There were also many comments that simply want the all-star out the door.
“Good bye ✌🏼 you got go! There’s only one God and your not it by far, pick your list of teams you like to go to and pack your bags,” a commenter wrote.
“I love this team but we need to change something. 10mil a year is too much for Marner,” another said.
Marner has one more year left on his contract and has a no-movement clause that would prevent the team from trading him without his permission. He reportedly is looking for an eight-year extension worth $12-million per season.