LONG SNAP
Kansas City Chiefs rookie reveals pet alligator ‘Crocky J’ has Patrick Mahomes and Co giving him hilarious nickname
Steele scored his first professional touchdown on Saturday
KANSAS City Chiefs rookie Carson Steele is turning heads at training camp.
The NFL hopeful isn't catching eyes because of his play on the field though, but because of an obscure pet he has back home.
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On Monday, Steele told reporters that he has a pet alligator at home, and it is getting him nicknames on the Chiefs.
"The favorite one I'd say is 'Crocodile' because of my pet alligator," he told KCTV4 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Steele owns a five-foot, 100-pound alligator which he named "Crocky J."
"I got him second or third grade probably as a Christmas present," he said.
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"So I’ve had him a little while now. He’s in a big aquarium back home."
While his alligator is making a name for him within the team, Steel still needs to prove he has what it takes on the field to make the Chiefs' roster.
Steele went undrafted out of UCLA before being signed by the Chiefs this offseason.
He spent three years in college, two with Ball State and one with UCLA.
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In his two years with Ball State, Steele rushed for 2,447 yards with 20 touchdowns.
In his 2023 season with UCLA, Steele had 1,010 total yards and eight total touchdowns.
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He was productive in college, but needs to keep that up in the pros to earn his spot on the 53-man roster, according to head coach Andy Reid.
"If he’s gonna make the team, he’s gotta be a good special teams player," head coach Andy Reid said.
"He’s gotta be able to carry the football and stay aggressive like he’s doing right now – but he had a productive day."
Steele was the lead rusher for the Chiefs in their first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He carried the ball only four times, but rushed for 29 yards and recorded his first professional touchdown.
NFL important dates
August 1 - Hall of Fame Game - Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears
August 8 - Pre-season begins
August 27 - Deadline for 53-man rosters
September 1 - Final day of pre-season
September 5 - Season opener - Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs
November 5 - Trade deadline
January 5 - Week 18 of regular-season
January 11 - Playoffs begin
February 9 - Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana
"I was excited," Steele said after the game.
"Celebrated that night a little bit, scoring the first touchdown, but after that it was kind of go-time for the next week."
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The Chiefs have two more preseason games for Steele to continue proving himself as someone worthy of a roster spot.
Kansas City plays the Detroit Lions on Saturday, August 17 and the Chicago Bears on Thursday, August 22.
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