Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg, a sixth-round draft pick, has drawn sharp criticism after photos emerged of him posing with animals killed during a hunting trip in Africa.
Player Selection and Background
Van den Berg, selected 213th overall from Georgia Tech, hails from South Africa. Scouts praised his potential as a late-round steal, highlighted by his college performance of 42 tackles and three sacks last season.
Viral Hunting Images Spark Debate
The photos show van den Berg grinning alongside a common eland and an impala, rifle in hand, after the hunts. The images quickly spread online, igniting a divided response among fans and animal rights advocates.
Critics expressed disgust at the poses. One X user stated, “Posing with animals you just killed will always be twisted.” Another remarked, “Ugh. This is disappointing. I loathe big game hunters. Absolutely loathe them.” Additional comments called him a “f***ing weirdo” for the photos and mocked the hunt as not truly “bad a**.”
Defenders Cite Cultural Context
Supporters highlighted his South African roots, arguing the activity aligns with local traditions. One commenter noted, “He’s South African. He wasn’t some tourist on a trip; it’s part of the culture there.” Others compared it to common deer hunting, with one saying, “This is the equivalent of deer hunting. I’m not a hunter, but who cares?” A further post dismissed the uproar: “So hunting, which has been done for centuries, goes viral. It’s all exhausting.”
