After a stunning upset win by South Florida over the Florida Gators, it wasn’t just the final score — 18-16 — that had fans buzzing. It was the emotional on-field celebration between kicker Nico Gramatica and punter/holder Chase Leon that truly caught fire online.
A photo of the duo embracing — with Gramatica cradling Leon’s head and both locked in an intense, joy-filled gaze — went viral, sparking a wave of memes, thirst, and speculation across social media.
However, Leon has now chimed in to clear the air.
“Not gay but thanks guys 🤣🤘🏼,”
— Chase Leon wrote on Instagram, reacting to a post from Outsports.
The moment, captured during ESPN’s postgame coverage, has racked up millions of views — with one X post topping 7.6 million. While many fans joked about a potential romance between the two players, most understood it was just a beautiful moment of postgame euphoria.
Still, the embrace’s seemingly romantic energy led to more internet mischief, including an AI-generated video that falsely shows the pair kissing. Leon responded to that with another chuckle — and a little frustration:
“Not gay and not a fan of AI anymore! 🤣 cheers guys 🤘🏼”
— Chase Leon on X, September 9, 2025
(And yes, for the record: the video is 100% AI-generated, not real footage. A reminder to always double-check what you’re watching online.)
Support and pushback
The reactions haven’t all been harmless memes. Former NFL receiver Antonio Brown used a homophobic slur when commenting on the viral photo. Leon replied simply and effectively:
“Harsh,”
Brown, who has a history of using slurs and erratic online behaviour, was widely criticised for his comment.
Meanwhile, many in the LGBTQ+ sports community applauded Leon’s reaction and the openness of the moment between him and Gramatica.
“You can love each other and be affectionate without being in love or gay,” wrote Brock McGillis, a former pro hockey player and LGBTQ+ advocate.
“I think it’s really dope that you guys are straight and that comfortable with each other.”
Why this moment matters
The viral nature of the photo speaks to the power of sport and emotion — and how social norms around masculinity are evolving.
There’s no doubt: winning in sports, especially in dramatic fashion, creates a euphoric connection between teammates. That raw joy can look romantic — even homoerotic — but at its core, it’s about camaraderie and trust. In those moments, men often feel safe expressing love and affection without judgement.
Leon and Gramatica — both good-looking, high-performing athletes — happened to be in the perfect pose at the perfect time. The internet did what it does best: turned it into a meme-fest.
But underneath the laughs is something worth celebrating — a moment of emotional vulnerability and male connection that didn’t need to be defended, just appreciated.
South Florida, now ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll, has a big challenge ahead with a matchup against No. 5 Miami this Saturday.
