HAWTHORN legend Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico has quit social media after making a shocking claim about troubled footy star Ben Cousins.

Given incorrect information, the popular former footy commentator posted on Twitter on Monday he was informed former West Coast superstar Cousins had just passed away.

The 58-year-old declared his grief over Cousins’ death before he immediately retracted the statement and offered an apology to the families of the people involved.

An hour later the 240-game Hawks goal-kicker declared he was quitting social media.

Cousins was recently spotted in public for the first time since he was taken to hospital when police were called to a busy West Australian intersection where the 2005 Brownlow medallist was reportedly spotted incoherently directing traffic.

Since being released from hospital, Cousins has also posed for a photo which was posted on AFL player manager Ricky Nixon’s Facebook page.

“Caught up with old mate Benny last night in Perth he’s looking as slick . . . as slick . . . well let’s just say as slick as old Rick!!!!,” Nixon wrote.

Cousins last month took his son to his first game of AFL footy when West Coast beat North Melbourne at Domain Stadium in round 16.

Dipper’s incorrect information painted Cousins’ ongoing rehab from reported drug addiction-related personal issues in a much darker light.

After confirming his information about Cousins was incorrect, the 1986 Brownlow medallist went on to apologise to the family of the young man he mistook Cousins for.

Have heard the news Ben Cousin has passed away please tell me this is not true #restinpeace — Dipper (@dipperinc) August 1, 2016

Good news wrong information — Dipper (@dipperinc) August 1, 2016

A young man called@Ben Hornby — Dipper (@dipperinc) August 1, 2016

Sorry for wrong information the person that has sent me the news has names wrong sad to say that Ben Horn has passed away — Dipper (@dipperinc) August 1, 2016

This is my last tweet ever, apologies to all I have upset i have been given wrong information to all friends and families — Dipper (@dipperinc) August 1, 2016

After an 18-year career with Hawthorn and a 15-year career as a footy expert on radio and television, DiPierdomenico recently appeared on Fox Footy’s Retro Round roundtable discussion panel and is still a popular figure with many footy fans.

It is not the first time a public statement has got him in trouble, though.

DiPierdomenico was stood down from his position as an AFL ambassador in 2010 for racist comments towards Essendon and Port Adelaide great Gavin Wanganeen.