As the 2026 NFL season kicks off, some players are bringing more than just game plans to the table—they're bringing conspiracy theories. This week, a couple of prominent stars have openly questioned whether Antarctica is actually real, and the internet is having a field day.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw, currently in Australia for the season opener, sparked the debate when asked if he had any questions for locals. Instead of asking about kangaroos or surfing, Greenlaw went straight for the frozen continent.
“I mean, how far are we from Antarctica? That’s what I got,” Greenlaw said. “We’re right on top of it, huh? Does it snow probably pretty bad here? So Antarctica, is it a lie?”
When a reporter admitted they'd never visited Antarctica, Greenlaw doubled down: “Never been there. So how do you know if it’s cold or not?”
He's not alone in his skepticism. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, known for his outspoken nature, revealed he shares similar doubts. “You can go to Alaska. You could go to the North Pole,” Metcalf said, via Pro Football Talk. “But why not Antarctica? Why can’t you just book a trip to Antarctica?”
Metcalf, who has previously floated wild theories about a hidden civilization beneath Antarctica, admitted he's a “big conspiracy theorist,” so his latest comments aren't entirely shocking.
The timing is interesting, with the NFL heading to Australia for the first time. It's a rare international trip that has players thinking about geography—and questioning everything they've been taught. This isn't the first time athletes have dabbled in conspiracy theories, though. From fans struggling to name WNBA players to tennis stars criticizing tournament policies, sports figures often find themselves in unexpected debates.
While the scientific community is pretty confident Antarctica exists—it's a massive continent with research stations and penguins—these NFL stars aren't buying it without proof. “If it's real, why don't more people go?” Metcalf mused. “It's suspicious.”
Whether this is just offseason boredom or genuine belief remains to be seen. But with Week 1 approaching, don't be surprised if more players come forward with their own takes on the world's southernmost landmass. The NFLPA might want to add a geography lesson to their next safety briefing.
For now, the league is focused on football, but the Antarctica question is hanging in the air—much like the continent itself, apparently.
