NFL influencer Annie Agar under fire for viral tweet mocking Bears amid Pope Leo XIV announcement

Time of India

09-05-2025

Annie Agar
, a well-known
NFL influencer
, recently went viral for a witty tweet that playfully connected the Catholic Church and the
Chicago Bears
two seemingly unrelated worlds in a way only a true sports satirist could.
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The tweet came in response to the historic election of
Pope Leo XIV
, formerly Robert Prevost, who hails from Chicago and just became the first American pope.
The NFL influencer blends Chicago pride and football frustration, sparking laughter and controversy online
As news of Pope Leo XIV's election spread, Chicagoans across the city celebrated with pride. The moment quickly became fodder for local sports fans who began joking about which Chicago baseball team the pope might support the Cubs or the White Sox. The Cubs initially jumped in on the fun, tweeting celebratory messages assuming the new pope was on their side.
But the narrative took a turn when his brother revealed that Pope Leo XIV is, in fact, a lifelong White Sox fan. The White Sox social media team quickly seized the moment to gloat, sparking light-hearted banter across the city's passionate fanbases.
Amid all this excitement, Annie Agar chimed in with a tweet that struck a chord across the NFL community. She joked , "Chicago produced a Pope before a QB who throws for 4000 yards," The humor was both timely and sharp, referencing decades of quarterback instability and missed potential for the Bears, despite the city's deep love for the team.
Her post quickly gained traction, racking up thousands of likes and shares, as fans from across the country laughed along at the blend of religious history and football misfortune. The fact that Chicago could now boast the first American pope, while still searching for a consistent presence under center for the Bears, added a layer of irony that resonated widely. Even current Bears quarterback Caleb Williams joined in the fun, calling Pope Leo XIV 'Daaaaaa Pope,' a nod to the city's iconic 'Da Bears' chant.
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Annie Agar's viral tweet about the Chicago Bears and the newly elected Pope Leo XIV wasn't all celebration it stirred up controversy as well. While many found her humor sharp and timely, some accused her of lifting the idea from another user on X (formerly Twitter).
Just two minutes before Agar's post, sportswriter Collin Whitchurch had tweeted: "Chicago got a pope before it got a QB to throw for 4,000 yards in a season."
The similarity between the two posts sparked debate online, with many users suggesting Agar's tweet was a case of idea appropriation. X user Jim Miloch didn't hold back, commenting, "The pope does not approve of stealing."
Adding to the tension, Jeremy Fazli pointed out how quickly Agar's version gained traction. NFL Memes and other large sports humor accounts reposted her take, giving it far more visibility than Whitchurch's original.
This amplification led to further criticism, with many arguing that the credit for the joke had been misdirected.
Still, not everyone saw it as a controversy. Some fans defended Agar, saying that similar jokes often circulate simultaneously during viral moments. Among those who appreciated the humor was sports executive and analyst Amy Trask, who tweeted in response: "Okay, I laughed – well done, Annie – and hi."
Her reply added a touch of levity to the discourse and reminded users that the internet often moves too fast for clean lines around originality.
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Despite the backlash, Agar's tweet continues to circulate widely, capturing the perfect storm of Chicago pride, papal history, and NFL frustration. Whether seen as a clever quip or an uncredited echo, the post struck a cultural nerve and became one of the most talked-about tweets of the week.