Austin Rivers, a former Timberwolves guard, faced backlash following his recent comments on the NBA versus NFL debate, sparking widespread controversy on social media.

During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the 31-year-old boldly claimed, “I can take 30 players right now in the NBA and throw them in the NFL. You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NBA.”

Rivers’ assertion quickly spread across social media platforms, catching the attention of not only fans but also prominent figures from the NFL.

One such figure was former Minnesota Vikings star Randy Moss, who expressed his disbelief on X (formerly referred to as Twitter), writing, “WOW really?” Moss’s post ignited a flurry of responses from NFL enthusiasts who criticized Rivers and mocked his comments.

JJ Watt Reacts Brutally to Austin Rivers’ Opinion

Joining the fray was former defensive end JJ Watt, who didn’t hold back in defending his beloved sport. Watt retweeted a post from NBA Central, sarcastically commenting, “You don’t got a job in either right now, go head and try it…”

Watt’s jab highlighted Rivers’ current free-agent status in the NBA and suggested he attempt a career in the NFL if he believed NBA players could transition successfully.

The ongoing debate about the comparison between the NBA and NFL has been a longstanding topic of discussion. Rivers’ remarks reignited this debate, with many questioning the validity of his claims and pondering how athletes from both leagues would fare in each other’s arenas.