In the world of football, imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but it’s also a sure way to ruffle some feathers. Just ask Antonio Brown, who’s had enough of Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola‘s Patrick Mahomes cosplay. On September 14, 2024, Brown dropped a staggering remark.

Retweeting a FOX College Football video of Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola’s pre-game ritual, which bore an uncanny resemblance to Patrick Mahomes’ signature jump-and-scream routine, Brown quipped, “He’s starting to become more annoying than Jackson Mahomes.” For those who’ve been living under a tackling dummy, Raiola has been turning heads faster than a Chiefs‘ no-huddle offense with his Mahomes-esque look.

We’re talking matching hairstyles, the iconic number 15 jersey, and now, the pre-game theatrics. It’s like someone hit copy-paste on Mahomes and adjusted the age slider. As reported by Fox News on September 14, 2024, Raiola has been making waves with his “near-perfect impersonation of Patrick Mahomes.”

But here’s where things get as twisty as a Mahomes no-look pass. In a statement reported by Dov Kleiman earlier that week, Raiola insisted he’s not trying to be a Mahomes mini-me. “A lot of people think I try to be just like him, but honestly, I grew up, I played baseball, never liked football,” Raiola claimed. He went on to say he’s had the same haircut since “sixth, seventh grade” and didn’t even know about Mahomes then.

Now, let’s not forget the history between Antonio Brown and the Mahomes clan. It’s more complicated than a triple-option play. Just a few weeks earlier, as reported by various sources on September 6, 2024, Brown had offered support to Brittany Mahomes, Patrick’s wife, amid a social media controversy. But when it comes to Jackson Mahomes, Brown’s stance is as clear as a referee’s whistle. Remember the 2024 NFL season opener when Brown tweeted, “Rain delay = more time for Jackson Mahomes to weird out people in the suite”? That’s the kind of jab that leaves a mark.

Now we know who Brown is jabbing at, let’s huddle up and break down the imitation game!

When imitation becomes a 15-yard penalty!

Raiola’s Mahomes impression is so spot-on, that it’s got fans doing double-takes faster than a referee reviewing a close play. We’re talking identical facial hair, the same Patrick Mahomes II Signature Series sunglasses, and now, the pre-game jumping jacks that look like they were choreographed by the same coach.

But hold your flags, folks! In a twist that would make even the most seasoned play-callers head spin, Raiola revealed on September 10, 2024, that his jersey choice was inspired by none other than Tim Tebow. “No, I wore 15 in my first year of football, actually Tim Tebow,” Raiola told SI.com. “A strong Christian person. He played football at Florida and I look up to people who have good character and are a good person.”

This revelation hit the football world like an unexpected onside kick. Even Tebow himself seemed caught off guard. In a pre-game commentary, Tebow said, “Dylan Raiola, Week 1, stepping up and dropping dimes all over. Everybody wants to make the Patrick Mahomes comparison because of their throwing motion, and you know, there are some similarities there.” The Tebow connection was news to him too!

Meanwhile, the original number 15, Patrick Mahomes, is taking all this imitation with the cool of a veteran QB reading a defense. In a statement reported on September 11, 2024, Mahomes said, “It’s cool, honestly. I was that guy, grew up watching players. I loved Alex Rodriguez, played shortstop and would try to make plays just like that. It helped me become the athlete that I am. It’s just telling me that I’m getting a little old.”

So, there you have it, folks. In a world where every young QB wants to be the next Patrick Mahomes, we’ve got one who swears he’s channeling Tim Tebow while looking like a Mahomes clone. It’s enough to make even the most seasoned commentator fumble for words. As for Antonio Brown’s take? Well, let’s just say he’s thrown a flag on the whole situation. Whether it’s a fair call or not, that’s for the fans to decide.