Texas Tech’s Tyler Owens may draw comparisons to a rocket, but don’t expect to see him blasting off.
The speedy defensive back made waves with some truly ‘out there’ comments at this week’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis, saying that he doesn’t “believe in space” or “other planets.”
He also went on to say that he “started to see flat earth stuff” which he found interesting and that they “start bringing up valid points.”
According to online betting websites, Owens is the odds-on favourite to run the fastest time in the 40-yard dash at this year’s event, with some scouts believing that he’ll be in the low 4.2-second range.
However, putting up a blazing 40 time may not help Owens find a home in the NFL – especially after his questionable comments. The Red Raiders DB is the No. 249-ranked prospect according to Pro Football Focus and there are roughly 259 picks in this year’s draft, which kicks off April 25 in Detroit.
Owens wasn’t the only prospect to raise a few eyebrows with his beliefs during interviews with the media this week.
Illinois tight end Tip Reiman might have actually taken the cake when he confirmed that he is a member of the “birds aren’t real” movement.
Yes, this comment is for real and Reiman went on to expand on his point.
“Have you ever seen a baby pigeon?” Reiman said Thursday. “How do we know that power lines aren’t pigeon recharging stations?”
While the movement itself was meant to be satirical – creator Peter McIndoe began it on a whim in 2017 – some do believe in the “conspiracy.”
The theory stated that birds had been replaced by government-planted drones to spy on everyone, but it was meant to be taken as a joke and that those who were part of the movement, were in on it.
McIndoe told the New York Times in 2021 that the movement was meant to be “preposterous” and fight lunacy with lunacy amidst the rise of conspiracy theories over COVID-19.
Whether or not Reiman is on the joke remains to be seen, but he and Owens certainly drew their fair share of attention in Indianapolis.