Seahawks player caught using illegal stream to watch NFL game
September 18, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen (27) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Tariq Woolen is an NFL player with a seven-figure salary, but you would not know that from the way he watched his team’s game on Sunday.
The Seattle Seahawks traveled to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in Week 7. Woolen, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, did not make the trip with his team. He of course watched the game, but the cornerback did so using an illegal streaming service.
Woolen shared some of his reactions to Seattle’s 34-14 win over the Falcons on his Instagram story. That led to some fans noticing that Woolen was watching the game through an illegal stream. The third-year player reacted by writing on X “it’s free it’s for me.”
it's free it's for me https://t.co/joc3jUzvlS
— Tariq Woolen (@_Tariqwoolen) October 20, 2024
The NFL probably will not be thrilled about one of its own employees consuming a game through an unauthorized medium. Fans who use the same streaming service also were not happy that Woolen called so much attention to it.
Chill bruh you ruining it for the rest of us who need it
— Alex Talks Sports (@alextalkssport1) October 21, 2024
Woolen imma need you to gatekeep the website and delete anything related to it. Cant let it get too hot and it get shut down.
— PrinceTy1 (@PrinceTy1_) October 20, 2024
Some people sue the NFL over the cost of watching games. Others just find a workaround, which is what Woolen did on Sunday.
Now that Woolen has called so much attention to that particular stream, it would not be a surprise if a cease and desist letter is en route.
Woolen, a former fifth-round pick out of UTSA, has 8 total tackles and an interception in five games this season. He played in 16 games last year and 17 when he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2022.