Journalists Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport were excitedly discussing the Pope's revelation
In a thrilling turn of events, the world witnessed two significant milestones overlap this year! The NFL Draft, as always, garnered wide attention, but it was the Catholic Church that took center stage when they elected their new Pope - Pope Leo XIV. The announcement came mere weeks after the passing of Pope Francis, sending the internet into a meme-frenzy, including one from our team.
The jokes didn’t spare NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, who were quick to join in on the fun. Schefter initially posted speculating if the white smoke signifying a new Pope or the George Pickens trade, adding a touch of humor to the excitement. Later, he reposted our meme, blending sports and religion in a delightful mix.
The NFL's official account, too, got in on the act, generating laughter as the conclave and the NFL Draft coincided for the first time. This timing kept the memes fresh on everyone's minds for the big announcement.
While Schefter and the NFL took a break from the humor, Rapoport continued with his reportage, breaking the news about Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks being added to the PUP list. Post the elections, Rapoport reposted the official announcement, marking the first American Pope's historic emergence.
Meanwhile, UFC legend Conor McGregor leveraged AI to stake his claim for the papacy. The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is 69 years old and a member of the Augustinian order, marking him as the first Augustinian Pope. Before his papacy, he spent much of his career as a missionary and bishop in South America.
His election was a historic moment, taking place during the papal conclave where 133 cardinals under age 80 voted in secret in the Sistine Chapel. Prevost was elected on the second day, receiving the majority needed to become pope. Upon election, he took the papal name Leo XIV, echoing the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, a known advocate for social justice.
In his first address from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, he spoke in Italian and Spanish, calling for peace and unity, continuing themes emphasized by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Pope Leo XIV, an alumnus of Villanova University in Philadelphia, came into prominence just hours after Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges led the New York Knicks to victory. The school had quite the 24 hours!
Hopefully, Pope Leo XIV enjoyed the sports community's memes marking his lifetime achievement on that Thursday afternoon.
- The NFL Draft and the election of Pope Leo XIV brought about an unusual overlap of sports and religion, as analyst Adam Schefter humorously speculated if the white smoke signifying a new Pope or the George Pickens trade.
- Later, Schefter reposted a meme about the events, blending sports analysis with religion, illustrating the unusual combination of these two realms.
- As the NFL took a break from the humor, sports reporter Ian Rapoport continued his duties, announcing the addition of Jonathon Brooks to the Panthers PUP list.
- Upon his election, Pope Leo XIV, an alumnus of Villanova University, came into prominence on the same day that Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges led the New York Knicks to victory, providing an interesting juxtaposition for the school.
