Tariq Woolen, a standout cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, may be earning a hefty seven-figure salary, but that didn’t stop him from choosing an unconventional — and likely illegal — way to watch his team’s game on Sunday. The Seahawks were in Atlanta for their Week 7 matchup against the Falcons, a game Woolen had to sit out due to an ankle injury.
Unable to make the trip, Woolen still wanted to catch the action, but instead of using a legitimate service, he opted to stream the game using an illegal source.
Woolen’s choice of viewing platform didn’t go unnoticed. The third-year player shared his thoughts on Seattle’s 34-14 victory over Atlanta on his Instagram story.
However, some eagle-eyed fans quickly realized that the feed Woolen was watching wasn’t from a traditional broadcast, but from an illegal streaming service. The realization sparked a buzz online, with many calling attention to the fact that an NFL player was breaking the law to watch a game.
Woolen, instead of shying away from the accusations, leaned into it. He took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and humorously responded to the chatter, writing, “It’s free, it’s for me,” effectively confirming his use of the unauthorized stream. While the post was meant in jest, it didn’t sit well with all fans — especially those who use similar streaming services. They were concerned that Woolen had now drawn unwanted attention to the service, potentially risking its shutdown.
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The NFL, which is notoriously protective of its broadcasting rights, is unlikely to be amused by Woolen’s public admission.
The league generates massive revenue from official partnerships with broadcasters and streaming services, and unauthorized streaming is a threat to those profits.
Woolen’s use of an illegal stream, particularly as a player under contract, could attract scrutiny from both the NFL and legal teams tasked with enforcing broadcasting rights.
While some fans laughed off the incident, others took issue with Woolen’s decision to avoid paying for an official service despite his lucrative salary.
Many pointed out the high costs of legitimate NFL viewing options, a topic that has led to frustration and even lawsuits from fans.
Woolen’s workaround to avoid those costs, despite his position as a well-paid player, was seen by some as a poor choice — especially now that he’s brought so much attention to it.
Woolen, a former fifth-round pick from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), has had a promising career so far. Despite his current injury, he’s already accumulated eight tackles and one interception in five games this season.
Last year, he played in 16 games as a rookie, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2022 for his standout performances. However, his decision to bypass official channels for viewing NFL games may now overshadow his on-field accomplishments — at least in the short term.
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