Jeremiah Johnson, a 12-year-old running back from Fort Worth, Texas, has the internet dumbfounded over his size and maturity.
The NY Post reports the athlete became a viral sensation after a photo of him sporting what appeared to be facial hair and a tattoo surfaced on social media following the 2022 Youth National Championships over the weekend in Miami, where he was crowned MVP.
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Johnson, whose Dallas Dragons Elite Academy (DEA) team won the championship game, can be seen holding the trophy that reads: “12U Division 1 Most Valuable Player.”
In a separate video, Johnson can be heard claiming that he is indeed 12-years-old.
Generation NEXXT, a national youth sports school and network in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., shared photos of Johnson to Facebook and Instagram, identifying him as a 12-under football player.
Nevertheless, not everyone on the internet is convinced that the phenom is a pre-teen, including one NFL pro.
Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill tweeted, “If that 12 year old really 12 my son not playing football, these kids built different.”
People on social media are speculating Johnson’s age, with one person writing: “Ight 1. Jeremiah Johnson is one of the most common names out there. 2. The mustache 3. The locks w the pushed back hairline.. Now I’m gonna say 22. I can be convinced on 17-21. But 12 hell now.”
One person tweeted, “Aint no f–king way this person is 12,” while another added, “I demand Jeremiah Johnson’s birth certificate. And not the ‘I am 12’ kind from the ‘Benchwarmers.’”
Johnson is 5-foot-11, 198 pounds, according to a Twitter account believed to belong to the youngster. It also states that he is eligible for college in 2027.
Shana Evans, who is believed to be Johnson’s mother, took to Facebook to share a photo of him, writing on Friday, “Check my baby out…. balling out @ Nationals!!!”
In a separate Facebook post on Monday, Evans wrote: “Before I lay down I just want y’all to know…. my baby is going viral. These folks are going in… SO…. Yes he’s on 12U (he meets ALL of the requirements. No the tattoo isn’t real (duh). Yes the goatee is tho.”
This article originally appeared in the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.
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