WWE superstar Roman Reigns pledges NFL allegiance to NFC heavyweights
A playful social media exchange between the Pittsburgh Steelers and WWE star Roman Reigns received a lot of attention from fans. The interaction sparked conversations across wrestling and football communities.
On Sunday, the Steelers celebrated their 27-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns with a creative WWE-inspired meme. They posted an edited image referencing Reigns' iconic moment from WWE Survivor Series, where he blocked CM Punk during a WarGames match.
The Steelers' tweet strategically edited Reigns' original WWE moment, placing team logos on the wrestlers. Their post showed the Steelers (as Reigns) blocking the Browns (as CM Punk), with the caption "Acknowledge us."
"Niner gang!" said Reigns, swiftly responding to the Steelers' meme and declaring his unwavering allegiance to the San Francisco 49ers. His quick-witted reply became an instant social media sensation.
The meme referenced a viral WWE moment from the Survivor Series. Roman Reigns and CM Punk had tensions before their match but ultimately collaborated to defeat Solo Sikoa's Bloodline team. Punk returned to WWE RAW on Dec. 2, adding context to the original interaction.
The 49ers have acknowledged Roman Reigns before
Roman Reigns' connection to football runs deeper than casual fandom. With Georgia Tech from 2004-2007, he played defensive tackle alongside Detroit Lions legend Calvin Johnson.
His college football credentials were remarkable. In his final season, Reigns recorded 40 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. He earned first-team All-ACC honors and measured 6-foot-3, 303 pounds with a 4.91-second 40-yard dash.
The 49ers have previously embraced Reigns' wrestling persona. During a September match against the New York Jets, they entered the field playing his WWE theme song. Fans recognized the tune, creating a memorable crossover moment.
Although he went undrafted in 2007, Reigns briefly pursued professional football. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings but was diagnosed with leukemia during his team physical. He also had short stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Edmonton Eskimos.
However, Reigns' wrestling career has been transformative. After battling leukemia, he returned to the WWE on Feb. 25, 2019, announcing his cancer was in remission.
His social media interaction with the Steelers highlights the growing intersection between sports entertainment and athletic competition.