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NFL Trolls Conspiracy Theorists With Witty 2023 Script Release Video
For as long as the United States has existed, conspiracy theories and their consequences have been making news—much of it bad.
The NFL, however, chose to have some fun with one such conspiracy theory/meme two weeks before the start of the 2023 season.
The league released a minute-long video Thursday morning riffing on the concept of the league being “scripted” a la professional wrestling — complete with writers, a table read, player cameos, and Keegan-Michael Key hosting.
“Alright, everyone. Last season was a smash. Ratings gold,” Key tells a table that includes Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Bears quarterback Justin Fields and others. “Welcome to the table read for the 104th season of the NFL.”
Key, the writers and players then take turns brainstorming preposterous scenarios for the coming season.
Join us for the table read of the 104th season of the NFL. #YouCantMakeThisStuffUp pic.twitter.com/XT4HTsOGnq
— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2023
The video drew plaudits from fans and observers alike.
Mascots got in on the fun, too.
Directing the boys through rehearsal as we speak pic.twitter.com/pfBjqHAnRh
— Viktor the Viking (@ViktorTheViking) August 24, 2023
Fans wondered how last season’s script might’ve been received.
One Bengals fan identified a meme that could easily be used against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who appears in the promo via video call.
Wonderfully done 😂
— Jeremy (@footballcardfun) August 24, 2023
Also if Mahomes gets hurt at any point (I’m not hoping for that) or has a bad game, this screenshot will instantly be a meme. https://t.co/lYhXJGP2Vf pic.twitter.com/TuJl5QC7xw
Jilted 49ers quarterback Trey Lance unfortunately caught a stray.
Trey Lance https://t.co/jZ31TXxFbI pic.twitter.com/XZ8iqijqYV
— Kris (@5kl) August 24, 2023
Some suggested Fields could have a post-football career in acting if he so chose.
Justin Fields acting career after the NFL confirmed 🫡😂 https://t.co/mtAngUpk6w pic.twitter.com/hVIW2I63fy
— Sadeek 𓋹 (@SadeekNextWave) August 24, 2023
Any way you slice it, the video captured the attention of a football-starved, joke-happy, and occasionally truth-deficient nation.
Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .