The South Florida Bulls may have stunned the Florida Gators with a last-second field goal, but it wasn’t the scoreboard that had people gasping. After clinching the 18–16 win, kicker Nico Gramatica and holder Chase Leon fell into a postgame embrace so tender, so locked-in, and so undeniably loaded that football fans were left spiraling — in the best way.
Captured on ESPN’s broadcast, the moment showed Gramatica grabbing Leon’s face and pulling him close in what can only be described as pure sports romance. The two were cheek to cheek, grinning, and very much not worried about hiding their feelings — bromantic or otherwise. To be
It didn’t take long for the clip and screenshots to go viral.
“If loving football is gay I’m Nico Gramatica,” one person wrote. While another pointed to the moment as an example of life imitating art.
Another simply quoted Brokeback Mountain with: “I wish I knew how to quit you.”
Others said it might be time for them to start actually watching football.
Gramatica, for what it’s worth, is no stranger to attention. He’s the son of former NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champ Martin “Automatica” Gramatica, and part of a USF legacy family of record-breaking kickers. But on Saturday night, it was Nico’s vibe—not his stats—that had people pulling out their romcom casting wish lists.
And Leon? He’s an Aussie transfer who played last season at Lamar University before joining USF, where he now serves as punter and kickoff specialist. We don’t know much else about him, but judging by the way he looked back at Gramatica, he knows something about bro love languages.
Whether this was romance, bromance, or just pure adrenaline, it was the kind of moment that reminds us it’s not always about the game, but also the magic that happens when nobody’s trying to play it cool.
Check out the video below.
UPDATE 9/10/25:
After going viral this week with the help of an AI-generated video that turned the moment into an actual kiss, Leon clarified his sexuality in the comments of a post on OutSports' Instagram. "No gay but thanks guys," wrote Leon, adding a laughing emoji and horns emoji.
Leon also commented on the AI video, again sharing that he is not gay, and added that he is "not a fan of AI anymore!" It appears that the college player is taking his virality with good humor. But folks in the comments calling for normalization of male affection make a fair point. While much of the joking speculation from the queer community was all in good fun, there were also many posts side-eyeing the exchange in ways rooted in homophobia. So just to be very clear: men, both straight and gay, should be free to be affectionate and loving toward one another. Period.Gramatica
Gramatica has yet to respond to the viral photos and AI video.
A soccer ball on the field.Tony Quinn/Shutterstock
Two players on the soccer field.Anton Vierietin/Shutterstock
Angel City FC Pride Unisex Protect Trans Lives Short Sleeve White T-Shirt for sale on the official Angel City FC website.
Queer Unrivaled players Paige Bueckers, Alyssa Thomas, and Courtney Williams with Natisha Hiedeman.
Lesbian and sapphic athletes celebrating with their partners.Footage still via Instagram @redrosesrugby; Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images; Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
