Football enthusiasts and netizens alike are buzzing over Jeremiah Johnson's recent victory at the Youth National Championships in Miami.
Jeremiah bagged the Under-12 MVP honors, but it wasn't solely his skills on the field that have everyone talking. It's the almost surreal revelation that he's just 12 years old!
Jeremiah's overall appearance paints a picture that seems to defy the conventional image of a preteen. A widely shared photo online showcases Johnson triumphantly hoisting his trophy, revealing what appears to be a tattoo on his arm.
Furthermore, his facial hair has left many sceptical. The Internet is awash with comments from bemused individuals exclaiming there's "no chance" he's a mere 12 years old. Some have humorously suggested that he probably heads home "to a mortgage, wife, and kids" after his games.
A TikTok video from the account @hoodnews24 came to the rescue, trying to debunk these myths.
Featuring Johnson, it's captioned: "The Internet believes #Texas running back Jeremiah Johnson is actually a grown man but he’s only 12."
In the video, when quizzed about his age, Jeremiah asserts he's just 12. This has done little to quell the internet's frenzy, as users are still demanding further proof.
Comments such as "I needs [sic] to see a birth certificate because there’s no way," and "Bro goin [sic] to the club after the game," flood the video.
Interestingly, as the image circulated Facebook, more insights emerged. A netizen shared a first-hand experience of two of their players going up against Johnson, stating, "He's 12. The Hawaii kids in the Little League World Series in August had some facial hair. One of my 8th graders is 13 and has a full beard. It can happen."
This comment emphasized that while uncommon, such physical traits in younger players are not unheard of.
Finally, in an attempt to set the record straight and defend her son, Johnson's mother shared a post on Facebook. Addressing the tattoo mystery, she clarified, "No, the tattoo isn’t real (duh). Yes, the goatee is tho [sic]." She also reiterated that Johnson met "ALL of the requirements" to play in the Under-12 category.
While the internet continues its quest for answers, one thing's certain: Jeremiah, with his prodigious football talent, is a name to watch. Given his current trajectory, it's not too far-fetched to imagine him as a future NFL sensation.
The world loves a good mystery, and Jeremiah has given us one for the books. The spotlight is now on him, both for his sportsmanship and his enigmatic persona.