Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg, a sixth-round draft pick from Georgia Tech, draws criticism after photos surface from his African hunting trip. Selected 213th overall, the South African native poses smiling with a rifle next to a common eland and an impala he hunted.
Player’s College Performance
Van den Berg recorded 42 tackles and three sacks last season at Georgia Tech, marking him as a promising late-round addition to the Bears’ defense.
Social Media Divide
Images spread rapidly online, sparking divided reactions. Critics express outrage over the poses with the slain animals. One social media user states, “Posing with animals you just killed will always be twisted.” Another comments, “Ugh. This is disappointing. I loathe big game hunters. Absolutely loathe them.”
Further backlash includes remarks like, “What a f***ing weirdo, who poses with animals like that,” and “Nothing says ‘bad a**’ like gunning down an animal with a weapon loaded with attachments.”
Defenders Highlight Cultural Context
Supporters reference van den Berg’s South African roots. One user notes, “He’s South African. He wasn’t some tourist on a trip; it’s part of the culture there.” Others compare it to familiar practices, saying, “This is the equivalent of deer hunting. I’m not a hunter, but who cares?”
Additional comments defend tradition: “So hunting, which has been done for centuries, goes viral. It’s all exhausting.”
