A photo of three NFL fans wearing jerseys of controversial figures is going viral on social media, sparking laughter and outrage alike. The image shows the fans in jerseys of Ray Lewis, Aaron Hernandez, and O.J. Simpson, three players with notorious criminal histories. While the photo is an old one from 2019, it gained new attention on Sunday evening, with many fans reacting humorously to the bizarre combination of players. One fan jokingly remarked, “Um, check please,” highlighting the unusual and unsettling mix of personalities.
Ray Lewis, the least problematic of the three, has his own controversial history. The Baltimore Ravens legend was involved in a 2000 incident that led to the deaths of two men. Although Lewis pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in connection with the deaths, a jury later determined the killings were an act of self-defense. Despite this, his involvement in the case has remained a dark cloud over his otherwise successful career.
Aaron Hernandez’s story is far more tragic and violent. Hernandez, once a star tight end for the New England Patriots, was convicted of the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. He was serving a life sentence when he was found dead in his jail cell in 2017. Hernandez’s violent actions and troubled life make him one of the NFL’s most infamous figures, adding to the oddity of his jersey being worn in the viral photo.
O.J. Simpson is another controversial figure, with his 1995 acquittal in the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman being one of the most publicized trials in American history. Despite the acquittal, public opinion has long linked Simpson to the murders, making his inclusion in the photo even more provocative. Simpson passed away at 76 years old earlier in 2024, but his controversial past remains a significant part of his legacy.
Fans reacted to the viral photo with a mix of humor and disbelief. Many joked about the odd group of people gathered in the bar, with comments like “To be a fly on the wall at that bar!” and “All-time killer lineup.” Some even made references to other infamous players like Ray Caruth, who was convicted for his role in a murder, further fueling the dark humor surrounding the photo. The image serves as a reminder of how the NFL’s history is marred by incidents involving its players.
