Following their narrow 18-17 triumph over the Denver Broncos in a pre-season game, the Arizona Cardinals chose to jest at Broncos’ quarterback Russell Wilson through social media.
Amid their celebration of the victory, the Cardinals playfully poked fun at their former division rival by employing a pre-made meme, insinuating that they might be letting the win inflate their egos.
Russell Wilson recorded seven completions on 13 attempts, amassing 93 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. However, Wilson also encountered several sacks, hits, and displayed diminished accuracy during the game.
Cardinals taunt Wilson
The Cardinals’ playful social media taunt revolved around the widely recognized “He’s not real” airplane meme, though the post looks to have since been deleted.
It featured the viral video of a woman on a plane labeling a fellow passenger as “Not real.” The Cardinals seized the opportunity to good-naturedly rib Wilson by superimposing his image onto the meme, depicting him exercising mid-flight.
This light-hearted jest harks back to a story from the previous year, wherein it was reported that during a team flight to London for a game, Wilson had dedicated four to eight hours to exercising and performing high knees in the aisle, even as his teammates were resting.
Although the Cardinals’ teasing could be perceived as part of the competitive banter frequently seen in professional sports, it also highlights the intensity and rivalry that can extend to pre-season matches.
