The NFL Honors became embroiled in religious controversy on Thursday night when the ‘Chicago Pope’ made an appearance.
On Thursday night, football’s biggest names – from coaches and players to former stars and team chiefs – gathered in San Francisco for the glitzy event as the end of the NFL season was celebrated with its annual awards.
Mad Men actor Jon Hamm hosted the event, adding a light-hearted tone to the prestigious ceremony with jokes and skits. However, one may have crossed a line.
The Hollywood star was interrupted by fellow actor Bob Odenkirk, who was dressed as Pope Leo XIV with a mitre and stole embossed with the Chicago Bears logo and patches.
Pope Leo XIV, who became the first ever American Pope when he was elected to serve as head of the Catholic church last year, hails from Chicago and has accepted Bears jerseys as gifts over the past year.
While discussing the season, Odenkirk, best known for his roles in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, portrayed the Pope’s disappointment that the Bears hadn’t reached the Super Bowl, instead being eliminated to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.
The NFL Honors stirred controversy when actor Bob Odenkirk dressed as the ‘Chicago Pope’
Odenkirk interrupted the ceremony’s host, Hollywood star Jon Hamm, during the event
‘It sucked. It was a bad season, and it ended badly,’ Odenkirk, dressed as the Pope said.
Hamm then responded by stating that it was an exciting year for the Bears, to which Odenkirk joked: ‘I’m just bummed about the Bears’ season and how it ended. You know, I’m starting to think maybe there isn’t a man upstairs.’
However, the pair’s ‘Chicago Pope’ skit drew ire on social media with some branding the joke blasphemous.
‘Corny bit mocking God,’ one social media user posted underneath a clip of the skit, while a second added: ‘what a disgrace.’
‘how insulting. Not surprised unfortunately,’ another fumed.
‘not a christian by any means but holy s*** that made me uncomfortable to watch bro,’ shared a fourth.
‘who would have thought that hollywood would be disrespecting the big man in the sky,’ a fifth wrote in a sarcastic tone as they took aim at the film industry.
‘This and your divisive music choice, really bad NFL mocking the almighty,’ fumed another.
Pope Leo XIV, who was elected leader of the Catholic churh last year, hails from Chicago
The Mad Men star is pictured with his wife Anna Osceola on the red carpet before the event
‘Wow, mocking Christianity. Why has the NFL turned into such a clown show,’ questioned one user.
‘Remember they always mock Christianity but never any other religions. It’s time to put a stop to the blaspheming,’ claimed another.
The Pope skit wasn’t the only moment of the awards event that raised eyebrows. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was ripped over his participation in a bizarre sketch.
Though the season’s biggest awards were being handed out on the night, fans couldn’t help but discuss Goodell’s peculiar cameo during one segment of the show.
In between awards, the 66-year-old took over as the evening’s DJ – dressed in a black hat, sunglasses, and a large gold chain necklace.
Hamm attempted to throw to DJ Bijan Robinson, before cameras panned to Goodell standing in his place. Hamm asked: ‘What are you doing?!’
‘Bijan is on the can and I told him I’d take over,’ Goodell replied.
After being asked whether he knew how to DJ, Goodell said: ‘It’s my passion, John. And when I’m behind here, please, I like to go by ‘Rog DMC’.
He then announced he only plays his ‘favorite songs’ before an NFL intro song played out through the speakers inside the auditorium.
