The Rob Lowe NFL hat meme has since become one of the most popular jokes about the sport. Even years after the Super Bowl appearance, people continue to share it online, joking about “neutrality” and “rooting for the NFL.”
Unlike most NFL memes, which usually revolve around players and controversial calls, the Rob Lowe one became popular because of its unexpected nature.
The actor did not come to the game wearing his team’s gear, as one would expect to see from most celebrities at the championship game. Instead, he wore an outfit that could be seen as supporting the league as a whole, not either of the rival franchises.
But why exactly was it so funny? Why did it become a meme in the first place?
What Is the Rob Lowe NFL Hat Meme?
The meme originates from Super Bowl LIII, which took place in 2019.
Actor Rob Lowe attended the game wearing a black jacket, jeans, and a black baseball cap. On the cap, there was not a logo of any of the teams that were playing (New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams). Instead, there was an NFL shield.
Because of the shocking nature of this choice, the image of Rob Lowe in the NFL cap became an immediate meme.
Why Did This Happen?
The humor of the meme comes from the unexpected choice of clothing.
Sports fans are usually very passionate about the teams they support. By wearing an outfit that did not seem to support any of the franchises, Rob Lowe seemed to be “rooting for the NFL.”
The internet quickly responded by joking that he was:
“Rooting for football”
“A fan of both teams”
“The safest sports fan alive”
“The official NFL supporter”
“The Switzerland of football”
The simplicity of the joke was what made it so relatable and, therefore, funny.
Internet Culture Turned This Into a Meme
After the Super Bowl, Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram were flooded with images of Rob Lowe in the black cap. Memes with funny captions were made, such as:
“Go Sports!”
“I just hope everyone has fun”
“My favorite team is the NFL”
“Corporate fan starter pack”
“When HR tells you not to pick sides”
The image became so popular that it started to be used in other contexts as well, not only for the Super Bowl but for other debates in which people wanted to remain neutral.
Why is the Meme Still Funny?
Most memes eventually lose popularity after some time. However, the Rob Lowe NFL hat meme has been making the rounds on the internet for years after the Super Bowl. Why is that?
The reason for that is simple: the meme encapsulates a certain thought that many people can relate to.
Most people know somebody (or are somebody) who is afraid to take a side in a conflict. It can be about football, politics, movies, or music. There is always a person who will side with nobody just to avoid the drama. Rob Lowe’s NFL cap has become a perfect representation of that.
Was Rob Lowe Joking?
Actually, he wasn’t. The actor later stated that he simply liked the look of the cap and wore it because it looked good. He also mentioned that he was a fan of the NFL as a whole rather than any particular team, so he did not object to the idea of wearing it to the Super Bowl. However, he did not seem to think that the meme was in any way funny. On the contrary, he embraced the idea and made jokes about it himself, which is probably why the meme became so popular.
Why Do NFL Fans Love it?
Sports fans, especially those passionate about the NFL, will probably find this meme the most relatable of all. They are the ones who wear the team gear, go to the games, and cheer passionately for their favorite franchises. The idea of somebody simply “watching the game” without supporting anybody seems absurd to them. It would be like going to the World Series and wearing an MLB cap, or the Stanley Cup Final and an NHL beanie. This is why the meme became so popular with the fans of the sport.
The Meme’s Impact on Pop Culture
The Rob Lowe NFL meme has had such an impact because it resonated with people in a way that very few memes do. It was so universally funny that it went “viral” multiple times since its initial appearance. The meme became so popular that it has since become part of pop culture.
People use it in various situations when they want to make a joke about being “neutral” and “unbiased” in a certain situation. It is not only used for sports but for other topics as well. Even people who are not that big of NFL fans seem to understand the joke. This is a rare occurrence for most memes, which usually have a very short lifespan on the internet. However, Rob Lowe’s NFL cap has become a part of internet culture.
Rob Lowe’s Humor Helped it Become Popular
Most memes of this kind are usually ruined by celebrities who do not want to be associated with them. They either deny the joke or make very few comments about it. However, Rob Lowe embraced the meme and made fun of it himself. This helped the meme become exponentially more popular, as people liked seeing a celebrity being entertained by a simple joke. It was funny to see somebody who had so much experience with comedy being surprised by something as simple as an NFL cap.
Why is the Meme Still Shared Every NFL Season?
Every year, as the Super Bowl approaches, people start sharing the Rob Lowe NFL meme again, joking about “neutrality” and “rooting for the NFL.” This happens because the meme is universally funny. It can be used in various situations, such as:
When a fan does not want to take sides in a sports debate
When a person is trying to remain unbiased
When a fan says that they are a supporter of “both teams”
When a person is simply “watching the game” without cheering for anyone
The meme’s simplicity is what makes it so memorable. It can be recognized and understood by anyone, even those who are not big fans of the NFL. This is why it continues to be popular every year, as it can be used to make fun of people who are not as passionate about sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rob Lowe NFL hat meme?
The meme originated from Rob Lowe attending Super Bowl LIII in 2019 in a black baseball cap with an NFL shield. Unlike most celebrities who usually wear gear that supports one of the teams, Lowe wore an outfit that seemed to support the league as a whole.
Why was it funny?
NFL fans are usually very passionate about the sport and tend to support their favorite teams by wearing gear that shows their affiliation. By wearing an NFL cap, Rob Lowe seemed to be “rooting for the NFL” rather than any of the teams.
Was Rob Lowe joking?
Actually, he wasn’t. The actor stated that he wore the cap because he liked the way it looked. He also mentioned that he was a fan of the NFL as a whole rather than any of the specific teams, so he did not mind wearing the gear that showed his general stance on the sport.
Why is the meme still funny?
The meme resonates with people because it shows a humorous side of someone who is “afraid to take sides” in a sports debate. This concept can be applied to many different situations, which is why the meme has become so popular.
Final Thoughts
The Rob Lowe NFL hat meme is a great example of how the internet can turn the simplest ideas into something huge. A black baseball cap with an NFL shield became a symbol of neutrality, sparking numerous jokes about “rooting for football” and “supporting the league as a whole.”
Years after the Super Bowl, the meme still remains popular because it encapsulates the idea of being unbiased in a humorous way. In fact, it has become so iconic that it has since become part of pop culture. It can be used in various situations and is understood by almost everyone. This is a rare occurrence for most memes, which usually have a very short lifespan on the internet. However, Rob Lowe’s NFL cap has become a part of internet culture.
Whether you are a fan of the NFL or simply enjoy watching the Super Bowl, you are sure to find this meme hilarious. It is a great example of how the simplest ideas can sometimes become the most iconic.
