Owning pets is a joy for many people, and while most tend to choose the more common companions like dogs, cats, birds, or even hamsters, there are those who opt for more unusual animals. Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Carson Steele happens to be one of those people, and he has a rather unique pet: an alligator named Crocky J.
In an interview with KCTV, Carson Steele shared that his teammates have already started giving him a few playful nicknames.
“The favorite one I’d say is ‘Crocodile’ because of my pet alligator,” Carson said with a laugh.
Crocky J., his alligator, has been with him since he was just a kid, and it was actually a special gift from his dad.
“I think I got him around second or third grade as a Christmas present,” Carson explained. “So, I’ve had him for quite a while now. He lives in a big aquarium back home.”
When speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Carson shared that he was hoping for something cool as a Christmas gift that year, maybe a bearded dragon or a lizard. But to his surprise, his dad went a step further and ordered an alligator from a gator farm in Florida.
The delivery of Crocky J. was quite the event. The UPS driver delivering the alligator suspected that something unusual was inside the burlap sack and decided to stick around to see what would happen.
“Everyone was kind of freaking out,” Joseph Steele, Carson’s dad, told the newspaper. “It was definitely an interesting morning.”
Crocky J. has become a beloved part of the family. Carson even shared how he takes care of his scaly friend: “We turn on the shower and spray him down, clean his back off because sometimes he gets algae on it. He loves it. He just sits there.”
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A fan expressed their amusement on X, formerly known as Twitter, by saying, “I can’t stop thinking about Carson Steele owning an alligator named Crocky-J. The NFL is so back.”
Carson Steele’s alligator isn’t just a pet; it’s a big part of his life, and it’s clear that Crocky J. has been stealing the show, both at home and now in the spotlight of his football career.