Carson Steele's pet alligator, explained: Why Chiefs RB and 'Crocky J' have been inseparable since childhood

Anytime you think you have a grasp on what animals can be kept as pets, it feels like you hear about a story that surprises you. Past the typical dog, cat, fish and school-class pet, some people keep more extreme animals as pets. 

Kansas City running back Carson Steele was an undrafted free agent in 2024 who made the roster out of training camp. While he was known for his work ethic, off the field, he had another interesting fact that helped separate him from his teammates.

He has a pet alligator.

Steele introduced fans to "Crocky J" as part of a feature ahead of the Chief's first game of the season against the Baltimore Ravens. And yes, that is the pet's name. Steele confirmed Crocky J is an alligator but felt the name sounded better than an alligator variant. 

Who is Carson Steele?

Steele is a 6-1 fullback for Kansas City. He started his collegiate career at Ball State University, and while he was a solid player, his off-the-field workouts drew analysts' attention. As a freshman, Steele squatted 615 pounds and benched 405 pounds. He was given nicknames like "Thor" (thanks to his long hair), "Fabio" (see: hair) and "Man of Steele" in a nod to his superhuman powerlifting. 

Steele transferred to UCLA in 2023. He was a solid player for the Bruins, but it was the spectacle of his freakish athleticism that garnered attention. Then, when fans found out about his pet alligator, the legend of Carson Steele grew. 

Who is Crocky J?

In an interview with the LA Times, Steele said he got Crocky J in second or third grade. The alligator has now grown to 5 1/2 feet and stays in an aquarium in Steele's permanent home in Indiana. 

Steele's father got Crocky J for Carson as a present from a gator farm in Florida. In interviews, Steele said that Crocky J got delivered in a burlap sack and chaos ensued when he was let out the first time. Owning an alligator was a lot of trial and error, but the Steele's figured it out over time. 

Steele has said that he intends to move Crocky J to Kansas City when he can, but he will have to fill out some exotic animal paperwork.

Not everyone is supportive of this move or the fact that the running back even has a pet gator. PETA responded to a recent picture of Crocky J on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying that the alligator "deserves better."

Carson Steele stats

Steele has only played in three games as a rookie for the Chiefs. He has 26 total carries for 99 rushing yards.