Aussie NFL player goes viral over bizarre act caught on camera

An Aussie cult hero has got Americans scratching their heads — and Australian fans chortling — after cameras captured a bizarre act.

Daniel Faalele has got Americans raising their eyebrows after a bizarre act during Baltimore’s big win over Tampa Bay on Monday (AEDT).

The Aussie offensive lineman is having a breakout season with the Ravens riding a five-match winning streak.

At 2.03m tall and 174kg, Faalele famously entered the NFL as the fifth heaviest player in the history of the league after being picked by Baltimore in the 2022 NFL Draft.

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His famous physique has made him a cult hero at the Ravens — and Monday’s bizarre moment will add another layer to his popularity.

The 24-year-old was seen walking the long way around a pillar inside the bowels of Raymond Jones Stadium in Florida as his teammates returned to the dressing room at half time.

Daniel Faalele realised his mistake. Photo: Twitter, @BarstoolBanks.

While the rest of his teammates walked down the tunnel via a direct route, Faalele realised he’d taken the wrong route.

Instead of diverting his angle to meet up with teammates further ahead, Faalele was seen doubling back to squeeze around the inside of the column.

The moment was caught on the live TV broadcast and one video shared on Twitter now has more than three million views.

American fans were more than a bit perplexed by Faalele’s commendable act of solidarity.

Daniel Faalele made it around. Photo: Twitter, @BarstoolBanks.

His act was also doubly important for those superstitious types on his team with his institutionalised instincts saving him from “splitting the pole” — an act that in the eyes of some can cause bad luck if a group of people walk on different sides of a pole.

“Daniel Faalele — big ‘don’t split the pole’ guy,” NFL content author BarstoolBanks posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Other fans had a giggle at the extreme measures taken by the Victorian.

“I respect this move,” one fan posted.

“Can’t have that bad juju. I respect it,” another fan posted.

Another wrote: “Team guy. Good for the vibes.”

Another posted: “The stuff the stat sheet doesn’t show. Team guy.”

NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell was also a big fan of Faalele’s work.

The Rabbitohs fullback posted the video on his Instagram stories with some laugh-out-loud emojis.

Latrell Mitchell enjoyed it more than anyone. Photo: Instagram.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 12: Offensive tackle Daniel Faalele. Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images/AFP.

Mitchell shared the video with teammate Jack Wighton and former NSW State of Origin teammate Josh Addo Carr.

It’s not the first time Faalele has gone viral this season.

The left tackle had fans giggling earlier this month when he was simply doing his job during the Ravens’ win over Washington.

In an hilarious Faalele launched downfield to block for diminutive wide receiver Zay Flowers.

Flowers is only 1.75m and it looked like he was playing in the wrong league standing next to the Aussie.

Daniel Faalele runs out to make a block with Zay Flowers to his left

After a turbulent start to the season, the Ravens are looking good again with quarterback Lamar Jackson catching fire in recent weeks.

They next play division rivals Cleveland on Monday morning.

Melbourne-born Faalele had no American football experience when he was discovered in his teen years by a coach from the University of Hawaii.

Like Aussie NFL superstar Jordan Mailata, Faalele had a rugby background but the movement skills he developed playing basketball made him especially attractive to scouts, as did his fearsome size.

The NFL Research Database dates back to 2003 and lists no heavier player to have taken part in a draft combine than Faalele.

Originally published as Aussie NFL player goes viral over bizarre act caught on camera