Kansas City Chiefs signed free agent Carson Steele in 2024. Known for his immense strength, the running back has been given various nicknames: War Horse, Thor, and Fabio by peers. The blonde long-haired athlete radiates the power that allows him to block defense with ease. If you’re wondering how he became so massive, it’s his parents. Pushing him since childhood, their support was critical for the young boy to become an NFL athlete.

Carson Steele was born to Joseph and Angela Berry Steele on October 21, 2002, in Greenwood, Indiana. Both of them graduated from Center Grove High School in 1990 but didn’t know then that their son would also pass out from the same school as a football star. While Carson played both basketball and baseball as a kid, his father noticed his passion for football and go-karting. When the young boy was in fifth grade, he got serious about football. That’s when his father became his strength coach, while his mother ensured he had proper meals.

Joseph runs J.R. Steele Auto Sales, which became Carson’s gym. The strict father made his 8-year-old son push cars as workouts. Though Carson had arguments with his father initially, once he noticed the improved power, there was no stopping. Sometimes, when he would push cars around his block, the neighbors asked if there was a fault in his car. His mother, on the other hand, took care of his emotional health. Providing moral support to her son, his mother attended high school games. One more person supported him.

He is 3 years younger than his sister, Kessler Steele, who calls him ‘a giant teddy bear.’ She was a witness to the tough workouts of Carson, which made him the athlete he is. However, she also knows him as sweet and shy person, who often goes to bantam leagues to see young kids. Talking about his personality, she said, “He’s very sweet and shy. But he has such a strong work ethic. I know how hard he works. But he has that sweet side to him, too.” Such a strong family backing adds confidence to play.

If you’re amazed at his workouts, you’re in for a surprise. The RB had a pet, but not a dog or a cat. It’s an alligator named Crocky-J.

Carson Steele’s pet alligator, Crocky-J

10-year-old Carson wanted a new pet on Christmas eve. But his father decided to surprise him and ordered a dwarf alligator from a gator farm in Florida. When he opened the box, the 6-inch gator hurriedly crawled, sending family into panic. Laughing at that moment, Joseph said, “Everybody was kind of freaking out. It was a pretty interesting morning.” Over the years, the RB has fallen in love with the animal.

Talking about the strange name Crocky-J, he revealed he feels a personal connection with the gator. Carson noted, “He kind of represents me, especially a kid from the Midwest coming to L.A. with blond hair. Doesn’t look like he should be from Indiana, you know? Might as well throw in an alligator.” Over the years, it has grown to 5 1/2 feet long, 85-90 pounds and has also bitten the RB a few times.

Revealing a fun fact about his pet, Carson said Crocky-J likes to spend time in showers, enjoying the warm water. Like his pet, the RB is also a beast on the field. It’s hard to control him on the field. The family is on the 7th cloud and looking forward to their boy taking over the field in the NFL.