The Arizona Cardinals‘ L.J. Collier and Dalvin Tomlinson are in Japan this offseason, and LeBron James supported them on X, being “young Black brothers traveling the world.”
In the viral TikTok video released on Jan. 30, the Cardinals’ veteran defensive linemen were approached by a Japanese street photographer named Kunie. He was intrigued by the tourists being significantly larger than most of the locals roaming the city of Osaka.
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“Excuse me, do you speak English?” Kunie asked Collier and Tomlinson.
After they replied yes, the giddy photographer asked to take their photo. Collier and Tomlinson quickly approved, then introduced themselves. When Kunie asked where they were from, Collier and Tomlinson mentioned their native origins, Dallas and Georgia, respectively. Kunie jokingly responded with his Japanese accent, “Texas, howdy y’all,” about Collier’s home state, which drew laughs.
In the video’s next frame, when Collier told Kunie his 6-foot-5 height, Kunie blurted while a wide-eyed emoji popped up. “Whaaaaaaat? So cool!”
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Then Kunie asked about their occupation and Collier replied, “American football.”
Kunie said, “Ahhhh, that’s whyyyy!”
Collier added, “Yeah, that’s why I’m so big,” and Tomlinson giggled.
As the 1 ½-minute video closed, Kunie was aghast, and a teary-eyed emoji flashed when Collier confirmed that he and Tomlinson are from the “same team.”
James, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, said in the caption as he reposted the video on Jan. 31: “Love this so much!! Young Black brothers traveling the world, appreciating culture and showing great humility! That’s so (fire).
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“S/O L.J. (great initials) and Dalvin! Photographer too.”
The last three years of Collier’s seven-year career have been with the Cardinals, and the nine-year veteran Tomlinson just completed his first year in Arizona.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: LeBron James praises Cardinals ‘young Black brothers’ Japan trip