The NFL Combine is always good for producing some viral quotes as collegiate players from across the nation take interviews throughout the week-long event. Texas Tech defensive back Tyler Owens produced one of Thursday’s more memorable quotes when he explained his belief in a conspiracy theory.
Tyler Owens at NFL Combine: “I Don’t Believe in Space”
Owens told reporters Thursday that he doesn’t believe in space or other planets, adding that he feels flat-Earthers make some valid points.
“I don’t believe in space,” Owens said. “I don’t think there’s like other planets and other stuff like that, I don’t know. I used to believe in like the heliocentric thing, like we used to revolve around the Sun and stuff, but then I started seeing flat Earth stuff, and I was like, this is kind of interesting, and they started bringing up valid points. I don’t know. It could be real, it couldn’t.”
Texas Tech's Tyler Owens, who's a favorite to post the fastest 40 at this year's NFL combine, doesn't "believe in space," as in "other planets," and feels flat-earth theories have some "valid points." pic.twitter.com/jE2jv9vyLv
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) February 29, 2024
Owens had a pair of solid seasons at Texas Tech to finish out his collegiate career, having transferred to the school after seeing sparing playing across three years at Texas.
The defensive back posted 56 tackles (44 solo), four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one interception during his time with the Red Raiders.
Owens is more touted for his speed, however, as the current favorite to run the fastest 40-yard dash time at the Combine.
He ran a 10.29-second 100-meter dash in high school and told reporters he plans to run somewhere in the low 4.2-second range for his 40-yard dash at the Combine.
For as much speed as he has on the field, however, fans were less than impressed with his conspiracy theory views away from it, with some expressing their views on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“Brother…you can look up and see the other planets,” one commenter said.
Brother… you can look up and see the other planets
— K.E.U. (@shai_isthe_goat) February 29, 2024
Another commenter joked that Owens “just moved up on Aaron Rodgers’ draft board” with his comments.
Rodgers has caught flak for his out-there views in recent years, including the “darkness retreat” he took back in February of 2023 while deciding whether or not he would play during the 2023 NFL season.
He eventually did play briefly for the New York Jets before suffering a season-ending injury on the team’s first drive of the season.
Rodgers has also been criticized for expressing anti-vaccine sentiments and making previous misleading comments about his vaccination status in saying that he was “immunized” before later testing positive for COVID-19 and clarifying that he had not been vaccinated against the virus.
Rodgers has gained the reputation of a conspiracy theorist of sorts for those comments and others, leading to the comparison with Owens.
Just moved up on Aaron Rodgers draft board
— Skipper (@TheOleSkipper) February 29, 2024
Owens was not the only player to express his conspiracy theory beliefs on the day. Illinois tight end Tip Reiman also told reporters that he is among the camp of people who do not believe birds are real.
“Have you ever seen a baby pigeon?” Reiman asked. “How do we know that power lines aren’t pigeon recharging stations?”
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Combine Results
It’s unclear and seemingly unlikely that Owens’ comments will impact his draft stock, but they certainly made for a viral moment on Thursday.
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