Chiefs Player Carson Steele Has a Pet Alligator Named Crocky-J, and NFL Fans Are in Love
Mar. 15, 2025Carson Steele (left) and a stock photo of an alligator.Photo:Courtney Culbreath/Getty; Getty
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Courtney Culbreath/Getty; Getty
Carson Steele had to say “see ya later, alligator” to his beloved pet Crocky-J this football season.
The Kansas City Chiefs running back introduced fans tohis pet alligatorahead of the NFL season opener on Thursday, Sept. 5. After learning more about the beloved reptile, fans have become enamored.
During a press conference in August, the rookie, 21, told reporters about the nicknames he’s earned since joining the team.
The rest, as they say, is history.
“So I’ve had him a little while now. He’s in a big aquarium back home,” he added. Home for Steele, and the 4-5 foot long Crocky-J, is Indiana. The running back clarified that Crocky-J is an alligator and not a crocodile but chose the name because he thought it “sounded a little better.”
Carson Steele.Courtney Culbreath/Getty
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Courtney Culbreath/Getty
“Carson told me Crocky-J has his own room at his parents' house in Indiana. But he hopes to bring him here to Kansas City soon,” they continued. “He just needs to fill out some exotic animal paperwork.”
Steele’s teammates are “very excited” to meet Crocky-J. And so are NFL fans.
After the alligator got a mention during the NFL season opener, fans headed to X (formerly Twitter) to gush over the reptile. “this is the best thing i’ve seen all week omfg,“one fan said.
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“I’ve heard enough,“another wrote. “Make Crocky-J the new mascot for the Kansas City football team this instant.”
A third joked: “Just learned about Crocky J and I would die for him.”
This fanseemed to sum up the overall enthusiasm of the gator: “I can’t stop thinking about Carson Steele owning an alligator named Crocky-J. The NFL is so back.”
source: people.com
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