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NFL fans were given a surprise when they tuned into the season opener to find a reality TV star on their screens rather than the reigning Super Bowl champions.
The Philadelphia Eagles kick started the 2025 season in a drama-fueled clash against divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on Thursday night.
However, some viewers were shocked to see Love Island USA contestant Huda Mustafa - who's no stranger to drama herself - getting in on the action.
Mustafa, who starred on the seventh and most recent series of the hit NBC reality show, appeared in a pregame segment on the network's coverage of the Thursday Night Football clash.
In the segment before kickoff, the 24-year-old beauty was filmed strutting through a gym, while discussing the Eagles' infamous 'Tush Push' play, which is still standing this season despite rivals' best efforts to ban it during the offseason.
'I'm not a football expert. I'm just a mommy,' she said, referring to her now-viral moment from Love Island. 'But I do know a good tush when I see one.'
NFL fans were left stunned to see Love Island USA contestant Huda Mustafa on their screens
The 24-year-old starred on the seventh and most recent series of the hit NBC reality show
The mother-of-one finished in third place on the program in her couple with Chris Seeley but she still remained a mystery to most football fans, including the NBC panel.
As the broadcast returned to the field, host Maria Taylor questioned whether Jason McCourty, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison knew who the 'Love Island' contestant was.
McCourty, a former Super Bowl winner, admitted he knew because his wife made him watch the reality show.
'I'm glad you know because I don't know,' Dungy said.
And fans on social media were just as puzzled by the reality star's appearance, with many asking: 'why TF IS HUDA ON MY DAMN TV???'
'Huda on my television screen explaining football, what happened to the game I love,' posted one disappointed football fan.
'WHY IS HUDA ON A NFL COMMERCIAL!?!?!?! & y she look good,' asked a more complimentary social media user.
'Why is Huda on my screen when I’m trying to watch football,' added a third, as another echoed: 'Why did I just see Huda on a NFL commercial about the Eagles Tush Push lmaoo?'
The brunette beauty appeared in an NBC segment ahead of the Cowboys-Eagles opener
Mustafa strutted through a gym as she discussed the Eagles' infamous 'Tush Push' play
'I’m not a fan of hers but Huda lowkey ate that commercial up. I have to give her 10s for that unfortunately,' wrote another.
In the villa, Mustafa was first romantically linked to Jeremiah Brown before a fan vote split them up in what fans are calling one of the most toxic seasons yet.
He was recoupled with bombshell Iris Kendall while Mustafa was left single and vulnerable on the island.
She later found a connection in Casa Amor, first with JD Dodard and then with Seeley. She ended up coupling up with Seeley and brought him back to the villa.
However, Mustafa and Seeley ended up breaking up in the finale episode when they decided to go their separate ways on their final date.
Meanwhile, the Eagles ended up coupling up with a win yet again as Jalen Hurts led the reigning champions to a tense 24-20 win.
But the game made reality TV proud with its fair share of drama of its own - and it didn't take long.
The NFL season immediately descended into chaos after Eagles' defensive superstar Carter was ejected for spitting on Dak Prescott inside the first six seconds.
Many football fans were left baffled as they questioned her appearance on social media
However, a new slo-mo angle of the incident has revealed a crucial detail in the buildup to the appalling incident.
It now appears that it was the Dallas Cowboys quarterback who drew first blood - or rather first spit - before the first snap of the game.
Prescott spat on the ground near the Eagles defensive huddle while Philadelphia fullback Ben VanSumeren, who was later carted off the field, was down having his knee examined after injuring it on the game's opening kickoff.
Carter took offense at the action and despite Prescott's attempts to explain it wasn't his intention, the tackle, the best player on the Super Bowl champions' defense, got carried away and spat at the signal caller's face.
The ref caught Carter's move and immediately decided to eject the player, announcing the news to the stadium and leaving millions of fans stunned as they watched the 2025 season opener.
