Let he who knows the name of every new coworker throw the first stone, and until then, maybe Atlanta Falcons kicker and viral sensation John Parker Romo deserves a break.
After all, the 28-year-old was signed to the Falcon’s practice squad just last week, only to be added to the 53-man roster on Saturday and start in place of the struggling Younghoe Koo in Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Vikings.
So, when Romo gave a post-game interview alongside teammates after going 5 for 5 in Minneapolis, the Georgia native was understandably confused about the identities of his coworkers.
Asked by NBC’s Melissa Stark to name the two other Falcons players by his side, Romo gestured to his team’s starting running back Bijan Robinson and said: ‘I know Bijan.’
The other teammate, Falcons linebacker Leonard Floyd, immediately burst out in laughter upon realizing that Romo didn’t know his name.
‘This is Leonard Floyd over here,’ the giggling Stark said as she urged Romo to shake hands with the NFL veteran in the viral clip.
Romo (near right) knew Robinson (far left), but needed to introduce himself to Floyd (far right)
A journeyman kicker, Romo learned Saturday he was being added to the roster for Week 2
With their collective mood buoyed by the 22-6 win over the Vikings, Falcons fans were quick to celebrate Romo’s straightforwardness.
‘LMAOOO the pure confidence!’ one fan wrote on X. ‘Goes 5/5, wins player of the game, then casually introduces himself to his co-winner like ‘Hey, I’m new here.’ That’s some main character energy right there! Welcome to the big leagues, John!’
‘This is funny and relatable,’ another added. ‘We’ve all been the new guy or gal at work or a new school or something. Just the moments we all have had like that was not on national TV. lol Great start [to] your time in ATL John!’
Romo is certainly a journeyman kicker. After attending three different schools and ultimately graduating with an economics degree from Virginia Tech, Romo went undrafted in 2022, only to sign with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad.
Over the ensuing years, he’d sign with several other NFL practice squads, as well as the NFL’s San Antonio Brahmas, before finally seeing the field for the Vikings in 2024. Over four games with Minnesota, Romo went 11 for 12, including a 55-yard field goal.
‘I’m truly grateful for the Minnesota Vikings taking me in last year,’ Romo told Stark after winning Player of the Game honors.
He’d find himself without a job again in 2025, only for the Falcons to add him to their practice squad last week amid Yoo’s struggles.
Now, after his 5-for-5 effort that included a 54-yard field goal, Romo might need to learn everyone’s name in the Falcons’ locker room.
