In the world of college football, there are game-winning kicks, celebrated touchdowns, and those electric moments when the scoreboard reads victory — and the crowd goes wild. But on Saturday, South Florida’s unexpected victory over Florida came with a twist: the real game-changer wasn’t just the last-play field goal, but the love-infused embrace that followed.
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To set the stage: the South Florida Bulls were heavy underdogs, taking on the 18-point favorite Florida Gators. But on the final play, kicker Nico Gramatica nailed a 20-yard field goal, delivering an upset that stunned the crowd and set social media on fire. As Gramatica celebrated with his teammates and coaches, he saved the sweetest moment for his punter, Chase Leon, who also serves as the holder for field goals.
In a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), Gramatica shared a candid caption: “Just a couple of dudes beating Florida. Beautiful. Keep your kickers close.” And then the magic happened. A screen grab from the ESPN telecast shows Gramatica (No. 7) holding the head of Leon (No. 37) in a way that makes every onlooker do a double take. The embrace? Intimate. The look on their faces? Pure love — and we’re not just talking about the thrill of the game.
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With over 85,000 likes and a whopping 3.2 million views, the postgame embrace sent hearts racing faster than a touchdown run. The two men stood cheek to cheek, their bond far more than a mere celebration of football; it was a moment of pure connection — athletic ecstasy, yes, but also something deeper. Was it just two friends reveling in a monumental win? Or was it a spark of something more? In the world of sports, the answer isn’t always clear, and frankly, who cares?
For those curious, Nico Gramatica isn’t just any kicker. He’s the son of Martin Gramatica, the longtime NFL kicker, which means he’s basically kicking royalty. But don’t let that distract you from the real star of the show here: the profound, unspoken connection between Gramatica and Leon, which now has the internet wondering, “Are they dating?” Well, we don’t know. And let’s be real: it doesn’t matter.
Here’s the thing — sports have a funny way of bringing people together, transcending the mundane and reminding us of life’s more human elements. Victory, after all, isn’t just about what happens on the field. The emotional highs, the shared experiences, and yes, even the tender moments of physical closeness that follow — these are the things that make sports so irresistibly magnetic. And this moment? It encapsulated it all. A kick, a hug, a viral embrace.
Fans React: The Internet Gets Way Too Invested
Naturally, the internet exploded with reactions, and it didn’t take long for memes, funny comments, and fan theories to start flooding X. Whether you’re shipping these two teammates or just enjoying the moment for what it was, the internet’s reaction was chef’s kiss.
Here’s a taste of what fans had to say:
Whether or not Gramatica and Leon are a couple, the internet can’t get enough of the picture-perfect nature of their connection. They’ve been the subject of countless memes, love posts, and even fan theories. But at the end of the day, it’s the purest form of celebration — two teammates, wrapped in victory and friendship, basking in the glow of an unforgettable upset.
And let’s face it: who wouldn’t want a love story that starts with “just a couple of dudes beating Florida”?
Well, it now has 7M+ views and will likely have many more before the week is out.
Sports is a different thing, what with the butt slapping, and manly hugs, and one manly, muscular dude picking up another manly muscular dude and sometimes that second many muscular dude has no choice but to wrap his legs – or at least his arms – around the other dude, because that’s how bodies work.
As someone who edited/wrote for sports in HS and college, I have to agree that I can see why some straight guys complain about how straight male friendships get taken out of context. OTOH, I’ve also known straight guys who flirted with me because they knew I was gay for the, essentially, high or chemistry (typically in crowds, at parties and bars, one on one, but never where anything would or could happen). This is all meaningless, in the grand scheme.
I think we all want straight guys to be more secure in their sexuality, with the ability to express their affection for other men without judgement. I don’t know whether either of these young men are gay or not, but we’re not helping our cause by making such a big deal about a celebratory moment between two teammates.