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The NFL Honors found itself in a religious controversy on Thursday night after the ‘Chicago Pope’ showed up.

On Thursday evening, the top figures in football – including coaches, athletes, former legends, and team executives – came together in San Francisco for the glamorous occasion, marking the conclusion of the NFL season with its yearly honors.

Mad Men actor Jon Hammhosted the gathering, bringing a humorous atmosphere to the formal occasion through jokes and performances. However, one individual may have gone too far.

The movie star was interrupted by another actorBob Odenkirk, who was dressed as Pope Leo XIV with a mitre and stole decorated with theChicago Bears logo and patches. 

Pope Leo XIV, who made history as the first American Pope upon his election as leader of the Catholic Church last year, comes from Chicago and has received Bears jerseys as gifts during the past year.

While talking about the season, Odenkirk, most recognized for his roles inBreaking Bad and Better Call Saul, depicted the Pope’s disappointment that the Bears had not made it to theSuper Bowl, instead of being eliminated to theLos AngelesRams in the Playoff Quarterfinals.

“It was terrible. It was a poor season, and it concluded poorly,” Odenkirk, dressed as the Pope, said.

Hamm then replied by saying it was an exciting year for the Bears, to which Odenkirk quipped: ‘I’m just disappointed about the Bears’ season and how it concluded. You know, I’m beginning to wonder if there’s someone up there.’

However, the duo’s ‘Chicago Pope’ sketch sparked backlash on social media, with some labeling the joke as offensive.

A cliché joke ridiculing God,” one social media user wrote beneath a video of the sketch, while another commented: “what a disgrace.

“How offensive. Not surprising, unfortunately,” another person muttered.

‘not a Christian in any way but holy cow, that made me uneasy to watch, dude,’ said a fourth.

“Who could have imagined that Hollywood would be showing disrespect to the big man in the sky,” a fifth person wrote in a sarcastic manner, directing their criticism at the film industry.

“This and your terrible music preferences, truly awful NFL making fun of the divine,” another person exclaimed angrily.

“Wow, mocking Christianity. Why has the NFL become such a farce,” asked one user.

“Keep in mind that they consistently ridicule Christianity but not any other faiths. It’s time to end the blasphemy,” said another person.

The Pope sketch was not the only instance during the awards ceremony that caused surprise. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell faced criticism for his involvement in an odd comedic bit.

Although the most significant awards of the season were presented during the evening, fans couldn’t stop talking about Goodell’s unusual appearance in a part of the event.

Amidst the awards, the 66-year-old assumed the role of the evening’s DJ, sporting a black hat, sunglasses, and a thick gold chain.

Hamm tried to pass the ball to DJ Bijan Robinson, but the cameras shifted to Goodell being in his spot. Hamm questioned, “What are you doing?!”

“Bijan is on the toilet and I informed him I would take over,” Goodell responded.

When asked if he knew how to DJ, Goodell responded, “It’s my passion, John. And when I’m back here, please, I prefer to be called ‘Rog DMC’.”

He then stated that he only performs his ‘favorite songs’ before an NFL theme song began playing through the speakers in the auditorium.

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