Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg, selected 213th overall in the sixth round of the NFL Draft from Georgia Tech, draws criticism after photos from an African hunting trip surfaced online.

Hunting Trip Images Spark Debate

The South African native appears in the viral images smiling with a hunting rifle beside a common eland and an impala he hunted. The photos highlight his successful hunt, but they have ignited a divided response among fans and observers.

Social Media Reactions

Many users express outrage over the images. One commenter on X stated, “Posing with animals you just killed will always be twisted.” Another remarked, “Ugh. This is disappointing. I loathe big game hunters. Absolutely loathe them.” Additional criticism includes, “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.”

Supporters defend van den Berg by citing his cultural background. One post 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, with a user saying, “This is the equivalent of deer hunting. I’m not a hunter, but who cares?” Another added, “So hunting, which has been done for centuries, goes viral. It’s all exhausting.”

Player Performance

Van den Berg recorded 42 total tackles and three sacks during his last season at Georgia Tech, positioning him as a promising late-round addition to the Bears’ defense.