Settle DOWN, Tiny: Abdul El-Sayed Challenging Mike Rogers to a Football Game Goes Hilariously WRONG

Sam J. | 2:15 PM on August 13, 2026

When your old videos calling fireworks a waste and linking football’s “ethos” to slavery and Manifest Destiny resurface, the mature response is apparently to dare your 63-year-old Senate opponent to a no-pads, full-contact tackle game like a couple of kids in the backyard. Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, facing Republican Mike Rogers in a high-stakes race, decided the best way to prove he still loves America’s favorite violent sport was to accuse Rogers of being too chicken to debate…

What is this guy? 12? We get it, he's pretty short but still.

Since you’re too afraid to debate me, how about you “hold me accountable” on a football field instead. Tackle, no pads like we used to play when we were kids. I’d be happy to show you much I love football. https://t.co/6oQ6sunxZn
— Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) August 12, 2026

Bro. Shhhh.

Guess how this went over on X.

“You highlighted my anti-American views so now I want to physically hurt you.”

- Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) August 12, 2026

This is surprising. You normally don’t see devout Muslims advocate for violence at the slightest hint of being offended.
— Magills (@magills_) August 12, 2026

Heh.

https://t.co/s6VPGRX3mX pic.twitter.com/elUZege3bk
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) August 13, 2026

THERE it is.

This is you complaining that Manifest Destiny and the "transatlantic slave trade" are "echoed in the ethos of football." pic.twitter.com/kPw95bMjzO
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) August 12, 2026

But he's different now.

“I’m not gay, I swear—let’s play football and tackle each other like mens do!” pic.twitter.com/gUgpLfMC07
— American Snarker (@americansnarker) August 13, 2026