Criticism landed in the hands of an NFL Draft prospect on Thursday after he spouted some interesting theories.
Texas Tech defensive back Tyler Owens spoke to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine held in Indianapolis, Indiana. During Owens’ media availability, the former Red Raider had particularly interesting things to say about science. One could certainly argue that he came off rather anti-science with certain theories he alluded to during the conversation.
“I don’t believe in space,” Owens said. “I don’t think there’s like other planets and stuff like that.”
When someone asked him what led him to believe that, Owens said he saw stuff about “flat earth” and suggested that the people touting those theories made “valid points.”
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
Unsurprisingly, onlookers roasted Owens over his opinions and thoughts on the matter.
He’s in for a surprise if he ever looks up at the sky on a clear night. https://t.co/d3hqc0RCCD
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) February 29, 2024
As a former geology minor, flat-earth believers are off my board, sorry I don’t make the rules https://t.co/taU5SPStYE
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) February 29, 2024
brothers agent just fell to his knees https://t.co/hPL2H0shoE
— Tre'Shon (@tre3shon) February 29, 2024
student athletes! https://t.co/3xP8nZn2PV
— Bradford William Davis (@BWDBWDBWD) February 29, 2024
Some had seen enough.
Undraftable. https://t.co/sE6eaJ9BPH
— Colb (@___Colb___) February 29, 2024
Others were accurate in the assessment that this type of rhetoric needs to cease.
We have to stamp this stuff out man. This isn't funny. https://t.co/nfrlGyAL0j
— Nick Simon (@Nick_JSimon) February 29, 2024
It’s really not a humorous thing. Stuff like this can easily lead to more haunting conspiracies that will have you in a much bigger bind. That’s the thing with conspiracies. It’s one thing to believe in aliens or other life forms. It’s entirely another thing to start going down these avenues. It only leads to trouble and other irredeemable situations.
Nonetheless, hopefully someone gets in Owens’ ear to tell him why he shouldn’t have said this.