Chiefs rookie RB Carson Steele owns unusual pet

Trying to wrestle with Carson Steele's peculiar pet would be a terrible idea.

In a Monday news conference, the Chiefs rookie running back/fullback revealed he has a longtime pet alligator back home in Greenwood, Indiana. Thus, teammates have already nicknamed Steele "Crocodile."

"I got him in second or third grade as a Christmas present," Steele said . "He's probably around four or five feet. I named him Crocky-J when I was younger because I thought it sounded a little better. He's probably 100 pounds. He's in a big aquarium back home."

On Saturday, Steele stood out in the Chiefs' preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The undrafted free agent out of UCLA and Ball State led the team in rushing ( 29 yards on four carries ) and scored the Chiefs' only touchdown. Following the 26-13 loss, KC head coach Andy Reid mentioned that Steele impressed him.

"You saw what he was as a running back," Reid said of Steele on Monday. "He's learning the fullback spot as needed. We used [tight end Noah Gray] there last year, who can still do that. If he's going to make the team, he's got to be a good special teams player, and he's got to be able to carry the football and stay aggressive like he's doing right now. But he had a productive day."

Although Steele is on the roster bubble, he's quickly becoming a fan favorite. The Athletic's Nate Taylor reported fans chanted his name during Monday's practice. If Steele makes the 53-man roster, perhaps they'll start wearing "Crocodile" jerseys.