Oddly enough, there aren't many animals that come running onto the field in the middle of NFL games. You'd think with the giant swaths of grass present we'd see more squirrels and stuff crossing the white lines.
It usually happens once a year or so in an NFC North game, though. And we got some varmint action on Sunday during the Colts-Packers game, causing everyone to lose their minds.
The squirrel caused a stoppage in play by sprinting on the field and running wild and free.
SQUIRREL pic.twitter.com/RkMOI274g1
— The Cauldron (ICYMI) (@CauldronICYMI) November 6, 2016
When that happened, everyone on Twitter lost their minds because it's 2016 and there was a squirrel on the field.
Originally it was just "hey, there's a squirrel" type alerts.
Squirrel on the field. Just so you know.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) November 6, 2016
SQUIRREL ON THE FIELD
— Chris Towers (@CTowersCBS) November 6, 2016
The officials just stopped play in Green Bay because there was a squirrel in the end zone. I guess it's technically a streaker on the field.
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) November 6, 2016
But then the jokes started to flow, especially with the Colts whipping up on the Packers and Green Bay only scoring 13 points through three quarters.
That squirrel separates better than Green Bay's receivers.
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) November 6, 2016
At least the squirrel seems capable of beating man coverage.
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) November 6, 2016
Colts/Packers squirrel snap count: 1
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) November 6, 2016
Huuuuuuuuuuge fantasy day for Squirrelly. pic.twitter.com/ZNyu77UAC8
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 6, 2016
NFL Ratings surge as league floods fields with squirrels.
— Mike Sando, ESPN.com (@SandoESPN) November 6, 2016
Jokes about the squirrel separating better than Green Bay's receivers doesn't take into account that he'd be a running back by Week 12.
— 🐿 (@JuMosq) November 6, 2016
Then everyone started scouting the squirrel.
Impressive 40 and agility by Unknown Squirrel. Need to watch more tape of this division-tree prospect, but he looks like a climber
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) November 6, 2016
Squirrel had deceptive speed.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) November 6, 2016
Including NFL on CBS analyst Phil Simms, who dropped some solid squirrel knowledge and breakdown on the broadcast.
Phil Simms breaks down the squirrel's running form in slow-mo. pic.twitter.com/aqvz3HKH3z
— Funhouse (@RNs_Funhouse) November 6, 2016
Squirrels are generally gross and annoying, especially when they throw acorns at you while hanging out in trees. But largely they have been pretty awesome when they run onto the field at football games and wreak havoc.