Chicago Bears sixth-round draft pick Jordan van den Berg, a defensive tackle from Georgia Tech, draws criticism after photos surface from his African hunting trip.
Draft Selection and Hunting Images
Selected 213th overall in this year’s NFL Draft, the South African native impressed scouts as a promising late-round addition. Images show van den Berg grinning next to a common eland and an impala he hunted, rifle in hand.
Social Media Divide
Reactions on social media split sharply. Critics expressed outrage, with one user stating, “Posing with animals you just killed will always be twisted.” Another commented, “Ugh. This is disappointing. I loathe big game hunters. Absolutely loathe them.”
One post read, “What a f***ing weirdo, who poses with animals like that.” A further remark noted, “Nothing says ‘bad a**’ like gunning down an animal with a weapon loaded with attachments.”
Supporters highlighted his heritage, arguing, “He’s South African. He wasn’t some tourist on a trip; it’s part of the culture there.” Others compared it to familiar practices, saying, “This is the equivalent of deer hunting. I’m not a hunter, but who cares?” One added, “So hunting, which has been done for centuries, goes viral. It’s all exhausting.”
College Performance
Van den Berg recorded 42 total tackles and three sacks last season at Georgia Tech.
