Former Denver Broncos QB John Elway unmasked as Leaf Sheep on ‘The Masked Singer’
In an unexpected turn from the sports arena, “The Masked Singer” revealed an athlete audiences don’t often see singing off the field.
Wednesday marked the debut of Season 12 of NBC’s singing competition, which prompts viewers to guess the identities of masked contestants based on various clues. An exciting highlight from the premiere was the clue “NFL Hall of Famer.”
Before the singer, who performed “I Like It, I Love It” by Tim McGraw while disguised as the Leaf Sheep, was unveiled, fans shared their guesses on social media.
Social media reactions to the first reveal on ‘The Masked Singer’
“I thought the #leafsheepmask was Jimmy Johnson, the Dallas Cowboys head coach and NFL Hall of Famer,” one user on X commented.
Another added, “Could it be Jason Kelce? #leafsheepmask #TheMaskedSinger.”
“My guess for #MaskedSinger’s #LeafSheep is Eli Manning,” inferred another participant on X.
“#LeafSheep on @MaskedSingerFOX has to be @TroyAikman, a favorite of mine since his college days! #MaskedSinger,” wrote another fan.
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As Elway continued to perform in the Leaf Sheep costume, viewers expressed their thoughts on his vocal skills.
“Can I buzz #LeafSheepMask? His singing is giving me a headache! #TheMaskedSinger,” another user complained on X.
‘Spoken like a true legend’: The reveal moment
The audience shouted “Take it off!” in anticipation before the unmasking took place.
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“Two-time Super Bowl Champion,” announced host Nick Cannon. “NFL Hall of Famer. The amazing Duke of Denver, John Elway.”
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Comedian and show panelist Ken Jeong, who is usually known for his humorous incorrect guesses, accurately identified Elway this time, setting the tone for the season.
“Ken was right!” he noted.
Once Elway was unmasked as the first celebrity of the season, Cannon questioned him.
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“What made you join ‘The Masked Singer’?” Cannon asked.
“That’s a fair question,” Elway replied. “I honestly wasn’t in my comfort zone with this, but being retired, I decided to seize the opportunity.”
“Spoken like a true legend,” Cannon responded.
