A Kansas City Chiefs rookie and his pet alligator have raised eyebrows in preseason as teammates have teased him about it.
On Monday, fullback Carson Steele revealed to reporters that he has gotten himself a new nickname because of his unusually domesticated alligator back at home.
‘The favorite one I’d say is ”Crocodile” because of my pet alligator,’ the 21-year-old told KCTV4 in Jacksonville, Florida, where the Chiefs lost to the Jags’ on Saturday (26-13).
Steele’s 5-ft-long, 90-to-100 pound gator was appropriately called ‘Crocky J.’
‘I got him second or third grade probably as a Christmas present,’ Steele, who joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent this offseason, said.
Chiefs rookie Carson Steele has owned a pet alligator since he was back in elementary school
‘So I’ve had him a little while now,’ he continued. ‘He’s in a big aquarium back home.’
Steele is adamant to prove himself to head coach Andy Reid and his staff, and has started preseason well with a touchdown against the Jags’.
‘If he’s gonna make the team, he’s gotta be a good special teams player,’ Reid said about the former Ball State and UCLA player.
‘He’s gotta be able to carry the football and stay aggressive like he’s doing right now – but he he had a productive day.’
Steele, who’s called ‘Crocodile’ by teammates, scored a touchdown against the Jags, Saturday
Steele, who can be deployed as a running back, also revealed his excitement at playing in more Chiefs preseason games, as the start of the 2024-25 NFL season approaches.
The Chiefs host the Lions in the second of three preseason games on Saturday before a AFC Championship rematch against the Baltimore Ravens at home is on the cards.
Steele said of his touchdown against the Jags’: ‘Celebrated that night a little bit, scoring the first touchdown, but after that it was kind of go-time for the next week.’
