In a move that seems very “2023,” Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin acted on his earlier threats and fired two players who knelt during the national anthem. In a surprising twist, there are rumors that he’s thinking about replacing them with two llamas. Yes, you read that correctly: llamas.
Two star players on the Steelers, who are keeping their names private to avoid a flood of llama memes, knelt during the national anthem to peacefully protest social injustice. Coach Tomlin’s reaction? He shrugged and said, “I did warn them,” with a playful grin.
Things took a quirky turn when Larry and Lulu, two llamas known for their impressive moves at a local farm’s football event, were rumored to be considered for a “tryout” by Tomlin. The coach joked, “It’s all about agility, whether you’ve got two legs or four,” adding a bit of humor to the situation.
The players had mixed reactions. JuJu Smith-Schuster reportedly said, “Larry’s got some great moves for a llama. I wouldn’t mind having him on the team.” Meanwhile, some players were less enthusiastic, with one lineman saying, “I swear, if Larry tries to eat my playbook…”
The Steelers’ nutritionist is on board with the idea, saying, “Think of the savings! All we’d need is some hay and water for our two new rookies.”
Steelers’ fans, always eager to show their humor and enthusiasm, quickly embraced the llama craze. “Llama Time” T-shirts sold out in hours, and now you can see fans doing the “llama dance” in the stands, a fun move that involves a lot of neck bobbing.
One superfan even joked, “If Larry and Lulu can help us reach the Super Bowl, I’m all for it. I might even suggest adding a goat as a kicker!”
The NFL has seen many controversies, but llamas are new territory. A league representative said, “As long as they pass the physical exams and don’t spit at the referees, we might consider it.”
While the debate about kneeling during the national anthem continues, it’s fun to imagine what Larry and Lulu would do. Will they graze or stand still? Only time will tell. Local farmers are ready in case other coaches get ideas—maybe a cow as a cornerback or a pig as a punter could be next.
In the midst of NFL drama, Tomlin has given fans and players something to laugh about and think over. Even though llamas in the locker room might just be a funny fantasy, it shows football’s power to entertain, bring people together, and sometimes leave us scratching our heads in surprise.
